NCJ Number
107607
Date Published
1986
Length
131 pages
Annotation
This text provides the story of the beating, torture, and eventual death of 5-year-old Ursula Assaid in Altamonte Springs, Fl., and provides a guide to understanding, recognizing, and reporting child abuse.
Abstract
Told from the victim's point of view, Part 1 recounts the 55 hours of violent abuse suffered by the child at the hands of her mother's boyfriend. Recreated from transcripts of the couple's 1983 trial, it delineates the dynamics of perpetrator personalities and the signs, symptoms, and indicators of child abuse. Part 2 provides definitions of child abuse, a reference checklist of physical and psychological indicators, and information on becoming involved in child abuse prevention. Specifically addressed are physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or mental abuse, and neglect. The difference between abuse and discipline is considered. Guidelines for developing a prevention program are provided, together with guidelines for interacting with families. A reference guide to national prevention organizations also is provided. (Author abstract modified)