Child Abuse and Neglect, Special Issue: Convening a National Call to Action: Working Toward the Elimination of Child Maltreatment

• NCJ Number: 178859
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect, Special Issue Volume: 23 Issue: 10 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 945-1018
• Editor(s): David L Chadwick
• Date Published: October 1999
• Length: 74 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Papers presented at the Conference on Responding to Child Maltreatment, San Diego, California, January 26, 1999

Annotation

These nine papers were presented at a conference that focused on the need for a national action agenda to eliminate child abuse and neglect through prevention and intervention; the conference was held on January 26, 1999 in San Diego, Calif.

Abstract

The speakers focused on needed actions, political issues, research findings, economic issues, practical considerations, and the role of the media. The president of a children's hospital noted that current responses to child abuse occur after rather than before the abuse has occurred and also noted that the conference brought together recognized leaders on this issues, as well as representatives of more than 20 national and State organizations. The next speaker proposed an easily understood mission statement; the definition of specific objectives; the recruitment of financial, intellectual, emotional, and popular support; the definition of the multiple perspectives on the problem; and allowance for errors and changes in approaches. Additional papers reviewed political history and legislation related to child abuse and neglect; examined the role of epidemiological data, experimental studies, and technology in addressing the problem; and discussed the costs of child maltreatment and of government-funded child protection services. Further papers focused on prevention and intervention practices; and the role of newspapers, radio, television, and the Internet; and recommended education of the public and professionals and the enactment of specific government policies. The summary chapter noted several recurring conference themes, including the needs for a comprehensive, systematic, and epidemiological framework; for outcome studies; for preventive practice; and for public and private partnerships to increase resources available. Figures and appended list of participating organizations