NCJ Number
57661
Date Published
1977
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE PREMISE THAT CHILD ABUSE HAS HELPED EXPOSE SOME OF THE FUNDAMENTAL WEAKNESSES AND PROBLEMS FACING MODERN SOCIETY IS EXPANDED UPON IN THIS ARTICLE SUMMARIZING A 3-DAY BRITISH SYMPOSIUM.
Abstract
CHILD ABUSE HAS CLEARLY EXPOSED THE NEED FOR SIGNIFICANT REFORMS WITHIN (AND RETHINKING ABOUT) SOME OF SOCIETY'S MOST BASIC INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS THE FAMILY, SCHOOLS, MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND THE COURTS. SOCIETY MAY ATTEMPT TO USE CHILD ABUSERS AS SCAPEGOATS FOR ITS UNCOMFORTABLE FEELINGS ABOUT ITS OWN VIOLENT ACTS. EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT SOCIETY'S ACCEPTANCE OF SEXUAL FREEDOM MAY DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE. THE RECENT SOCIETAL ACCEPTANCE OF ABORTION HAS CREATED A PARADOXICAL SITUATION IN THAT WHILE SOCIETY CONDEMNS CHILD ABUSE AS A MEANS OF DEALING WITH UNWANTED CHILDREN, IT APPROVES ABORTION TO DEAL WITH THE SAME 'PROBLEM.' ALONG THESE SAME LINES, SOCIETY HAS FAILED TO EDUCATE ITS YOUNG ON THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH RAISING A FAMILY. THE PROFESSIONAL RESPONSE TO CHILD ABUSE HAS BEEN HAMPERED BY THE FACT THAT PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION HAS FAILED TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN TECHNICAL COMPETENCY AND CARING. CHILD ABUSE PROFESSIONALS ALSO FACE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IN WORKING WITH THE COURTS IN TERMS OF BALANCING THE STRICTLY LEGAL NEEDS OF THE COURTS WITH THE MUCH BROADER THERAPEUTIC NEEDS OF THE FAMILIES AND ABUSED CHILDREN. CHILD ABUSE PROFESSIONALS MUST DEVELOP MORE EFFECTIVE PREDICTION TECHNIQUES AND PREVENTION MEASURES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME PROTECTING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THEIR CLIENTS. (KCP)