NCJ Number
120867
Date Published
1987
Length
131 pages
Annotation
The investigation of allegations of child abuse in out-of-home child care settings has proven difficult due to a lack of consistent guidelines.
Abstract
The lack of consistent guidelines can hamper investigation and prolong the trauma of the child victim and jeopardize other children in day care centers, schools, residential centers, and other private and public child-care facilities. The goal of this handbook is to provide prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, licensing and regulating staff, school officials, and child protection workers with a guide that clearly defines jurisdictions and responsibilities, establishes general procedures, and increases interagency awareness. It explains the scope of the problem and its legal bases, as well as investigative procedures including techniques for interviewing children and adults. It defines physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; neglect; and childhood conditional norms. Report form, tables, director, 4 appendixes, 11 references.