CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION - PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE

• NCJ Number: 32333
• Author(s): A SCHUCHTER
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 172 pages
• Grant Number(s): 75-NI-99-0082
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: International Assoc of Chiefs of Police
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE SERIES

Annotation

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING A FULL-SERVICE, COMMUNITY BASED CHILD ABUSE PROGRAM WHICH UTILIZES EXISTING TRAINED PUBLIC HEALTH AND HOSPITAL PROFESSIONALS AS THE INITIAL SPECIALIZED INTERVENTION AND ENTRY SUB-SYSTEM.

Abstract

IN ADDITION, THIS MODEL SYSTEM, A NON-CRIMINAL DIAGNOSTIC AND CIVIL LEGAL PROCESS OF HANDLING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, DELINEATES AND PRESCRIBES THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES WHICH REGULARLY DEAL WITH CHILD ABUSE. THE ROLES OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE DEFINED AS INITIAL DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF POSSIBLE ABUSE (THE POLICE) AND THE APPLICATION OF JUDICIAL SERVICES AND ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL, CRIMINAL, AND SOCIAL SERVICE ALTERNATIVES (THE COURTS). THE MODEL SYSTEM ALSO PRESCRIBES THE APPROPRIATE INPUT OF THE MEDICAL AGENCIES, PARTICULARLY THE COMMUNITY HOSPITALS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITIES LIE IN MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS, DATA MAINTENANCE, AND PROVISION OF JUDICIAL EVIDENCE, IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT COURT ACTION IS WARRANTED. THE AUTHOR'S OVERRIDING CONCERN IS FIRST THE PROVISION OF IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION TO THE INJURED CHILD, AND SECOND, THE PROVISION OF DUE PROCESS PROTECTION FOR BOTH THE ASSAULTED AND THE ASSAILANT. PART ONE OF THIS PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE CONCENTRATES ON PRESENTING AN OVERVIEW OF CHILD ABUSE PROBLEMS AND PRACTICES AND ON DEVELOPING A STRATEGY FOR MODEL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT. PART TWO TRANSLATES THE PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR THE MODEL SYSTEM INTO THE ORGANIZATIONAL COMPONENTS AND PROCEDURES OF THE MODEL SYSTEM BY PRESENTING A HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO FOR HANDLING A SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASE IN THE MODEL SYSTEM. PART THREE CONCLUDES THE PRESCRIPTIVE PACKAGE WITH A DETAILED COMPARISON OF THE EXISTING AND PROPOSED MODEL SYSTEMS; A DECISION-MAKING GUIDE FOR THE PROPOSED MODEL SYSTEM, STRUCTURED AROUND THE SEQUENCE OF KEY DECISIONS TO BE MADE BY SPECIFIED DECISION-MAKERS BASED ON RECOMMENDED CRITERIA AND GUIDELINES; AND A CHECKLIST OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS FOR JUSTICE PERSONNEL KEYED TO THE RECOMMENDED DECISIONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)