NCJ Number
44306
Date Published
1977
Length
67 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE IN THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C. AREA (DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, MARYLAND, AND VIRGINIA) IS ASSESSED, INCLUDING EXTENT, CAUSES, APPLICABLE LAWS, AND STATISTICS.
Abstract
WITH INCREASED REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE IS BEING REVEALED AS A NATIONAL PROBLEM OF FAR-REACHING DIMENSIONS. IN ADDITION, GROWING EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT ABUSE VICTIMS TEND TO BECOME ABUSIVE PARENTS, ARE OVER-REPRESENTED AMONG JUVENILE DELINQUENTS, AND EXHIBIT MORE VIOLENT BEHAVIOR AND VIOLENT CRIME. THE LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS AND EMPHASES OF THE VARIOUS WASHINGTON AREA JURISDICTIONS IN THE AREA OF CHILD ABUSE ARE WIDELY DIVERGENT; DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES ABUSE, REQUIREMENTS FOR REPORTING INCIDENTS, AND POLICIES ON PROSECUTION OF ABUSE CASES VARY. A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF THE CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE IS FOLLOWED BY SPECIFIC ANALYSES OF THE PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, TWO MARYLAND COUNTIES, AND FIVE COUNTIES OR INDEPENDENT CITIES OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA. EACH CONTAINS SUMMARIES OF REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION LEGISLATION AND POLICIES; EXTENT OF COURT INVOLVEMENT; SERVICES PROVIDED THE CHILD AND THE PARENTS; AND STATISTICS ON NUMBER OF REPORTED INCIDENTS, TYPE OF ABUSE, AND OTHER DATA. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE REPORTING COMMISSION INCLUDE: PROGRAMS AIMED AT PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE; INCREASED PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM; EMPHASIS ON INCREASED REPORTING OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT; A CENTRAL REGISTRY FOR COMPILATION OF RECORDS; INCREASED TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY ROUTINELY COME INTO CONTACT WITH CHILDREN; DEVELOPMENT OF PARENTING EDUCATION PROGRAMS: IMPROVED TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE ABUSER AND FOR READJUSTMENT OF THE VICTIM; AND RESEARCH INTO THE CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.