NCJ Number
98354
Date Published
1984
Length
196 pages
Annotation
This transcript of two 1984 hearings before the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Justice presents testimony on the extent and nature of child abuse in child care facilities and on legislation (S.521 and S.1924) designed to eliminate such abuse.
Abstract
S.521 provides that no person shall be employed at a facility maintained for the detention, correction, care, or treatment of juveniles unless a nationwide criminal record check has been conducted and a determination has been made as to whether an applicant poses a danger to the juveniles. It further authorizes the Attorney General to assist State governments in such criminal record checks. S.1924 would create a central Federal file of sexual assault and child molesting arrests and convictions; businesses and organizations who hire people to work with children would access this file to determine the suitability of job applicants. Sponsors of these bills provide statements regarding their purposes and the problem they are addressing. Representatives from the FBI testify about the FBI's current procedures for exchanging criminal history information for licensing and employment purposes. They indicate that the proposed bills may be unnecessary, as they argue that statutory tools already exist to accomplish employment checks. Prosecutors from California and New York discuss specific cases of sexual abuse in child care facilities in their States. They support the proposed legislation and offer other suggestions for more closely regulating child care facilities. Parents of children sexually abused by child care workers describe the nature and consequences of the abuse and support tighter regulations for hiring child care workers. Representatives of the child care industry also support more concerted efforts and legislation that will screen out unqualified child care workers. Testimony by the director of the sexual disorders clinic of Johns Hopkins Hospital explains pedophilia and argues for treatment programs in correctional facilities that target this disorder. The bills and written statements by the witnesses are provided.