NCJ Number
44596
Date Published
1977
Length
158 pages
Annotation
ESSAYS DEFINE THE PROBLEM AND DISCUSS THE CHILD AS VICTIM AND THE PARENT AS BOTH VICTIMIZER AND VICTIM. APPROACHES TOWARD PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE ARE SUGGESTED.
Abstract
DISCUSSIONS DEAL WITH: OBSERVATIONS ON CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY ABUSED AND THEIR PARENTS; THE CHILD-ABUSING PARENT; FAMILIAR PATTERNS OF PARENTS WHO ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN; AND A FAMILY STUDY OF CHILD ABUSE. IN ORDER TO COMBAT CHILD ABUSE EFFECTIVELY, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL STATES PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES; THAT EDUCATORS, HOSPITAL PERSONNEL AND SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS BE TRAINED TO IDENTIFY CHILD ABUSE AND BE SENSITIZED TOWARDS THEIR FEELINGS REGARDING ABUSIVE PARENTS; AND THAT SUCH PERSONNEL BE INFORMED OF REPORTING PROCEDURES IN THEIR STATES AND BE REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE, WITH GUARANTEED IMMUNITY FROM LAWSUITS. A CENTRAL REGISTER SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED IN EACH OF THE STATES WHICH WOULD BOTH COORDINATE EFFORTS AT INVESTIGATING ABUSE AND MONITOR CHILD ABUSE CLINICS. AT THE SAME TIME, THE REGISTER SHOULD BE EMPOWERED TO DELEGATE CASES TO A VARIETY OF AGENCIES WITHIN CERTAIN DISTRICTS. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).