NCJ Number
57643
Editor(s)
A W FRANKLIN
Date Published
1977
Length
310 pages
Annotation
PROCEEDINGS OF A 1976 CHILD ABUSE CONFERENCE HELD BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE CHALLENGE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS AS TO HOW SOCIETY (ESPECIALLY THE COURTS AND PROFESSIONS) CAN RESPOND.
Abstract
MANY DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS FACE THOSE CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AIDING TROUBLED FAMILIES AND ABUSED CHILDREN. THESE PROBLEMS MAY BE AVOIDED BY DRAWING UPON THE EXPERIENCES OF EARLIER RESPONSES TO OTHER TYPES OF DEVIANCE. UNDERSTANDING THE DYNAMICS OF AGGRESSION IS IMPORTANT IN DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE. SUCH RESEARCH WILL HELP THE CARING PROFESSIONS TO DEVELOP EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC SYSTEMS. IN FACT, THE FAILURE OF CHILD ABUSE PROGRAMS TO DEAL WITH FAMILIAL AND SOCIETAL DYNAMICS HAS REDUCED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE PROGRAMS. THIS FAILURE RESULTS IN PART FROM THE LACK OF COORDINATION, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN THE HELPING PROFESSIONS (SUCH AS DOCTORS, PSYCHIATRISTS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS) AND THE COURTS, AND IN PART FROM THE REFUSAL TO GIVE THE PUBLIC THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS ACTIONS. EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE, HOWEVER, TO REINVOLVE THE COMMUNITY. ARTICLES DEALING WITH THESE ISSUES INCLUDE STUDIES OF CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS, THE NATURE OF CHILD ABUSE, CAUSES, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION, PHILOSOPHICAL ISSUES, AND PSYCHIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS. A REENACTMENT OF A CASE CONFERENCE ON AN ABUSIVE FAMILY IS APPENDED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED FOR MOST OF THE ARTICLES. FOR SPECIFIC ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57614-57661 AND 51768. (KCP)