Child Abuse and Neglect (From Crisis Intervention in Criminal Justice/Social Service, Third Edition, P 141-169, 2002, Bryan D. Byers and James E. Henderson, eds. -- See NCJ-195761)

• NCJ Number: 195763
• Author(s): Barbara A. Carson; Bruce K. MacMurray
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In this chapter, a brief background is provided on what is known about child abuse, including physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse, as well as a review of the goals of intervention by professionals in the criminal justice system and social services and guidelines for intervention.

Abstract

Physical child abuse is defined as the use of force against a child by a parent or guardian resulting in death, permanent or temporary disfigurement, or impairment. All States have laws stating that emotional or psychological abuse is illegal with a diversity of what each law covers. It is clear that the number of reports of child maltreatment being made is increasing at an overwhelming rate. This chapter seeks to indicate the critical importance of crisis intervention for cases of child abuse. Victims of physical abuse are more likely to be older children and children under the age of 6 are at risk for being injured. Parents are typically the perpetrators of child abuse, younger parents more often than older parents and birth parents the most common abusers. Three primary goals for intervention in cases of child abuse include: (1) the immediate safety of the child must be established; (2) help and support need to be provided to the entire family unit experiencing the crisis; and (3) it must be determined whether a criminal act has occurred and whether or not an arrest is necessary. Because of these goals most communities authorize at least two agencies to intervene in cases of child abuse, police and related criminal justice agencies and child protective or social service agencies. The crisis intervention process in child abuse and neglect cases involve eight steps: (1) initial contact; (2) interviewing child victims; (3) interviewing the perpetrator; (4) interviewing nonaccused parents; (5) investigation for supporting evidence; (6) outcome options; (7) awareness of diversity issues in child abuse intervention; and (8) the aftermath of intervention. Research has indicated that child abuse affects significant numbers of victims and families with the number of cases continuing to rise. The crisis intervention process for child abuse is crucial as a key decision making stage for how these cases will be handled by official agencies and the resulting outcomes for those involved. Questions, simulated exercises and references