NCJ Number
47096
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 193-198
Date Published
1977
Length
6 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES EMPLOYED BY OFFICIALS IN DENMARK IN THE HANDLING OF THAT COUNTRY'S FEW CASES OF REPORTED CHILD ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN COMPARISON WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, DENMARK IS NOT PARTICULARLY ADVANCED IN THE HANDLING OF CHILD ABUSE BECAUSE CHILD ABUSE IS NOT SUCH AN OVERWHELMING PROBLEM IN DENMARK AS IT SEEMS TO BE ELSEWHERE IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD. MANY OF THE FACTORS THAT SEEM TO CONTRIBUTE ELSEWHERE TO INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE ARE ABSENT. MOST OF THE POPULATION IS MIDDLE CLASS, THE ECONOMY IS STABLE, AND UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES ARE FAIRLY GENEROUS. HOUSING IS PLENTIFUL FOR THE POPULATION OF 5 MILLION, AND EXCEPT IN CERTAIN SECTIONS OF COPENHAGAN, THE HOUSING CONFORMS TO THE ACCEPTED NORMS OF SCANDINAVIAN HYGIENE. UNDER DANISH LAW, THOSE FEW CASES OF CHILD ABUSE THAT DO OCCUR ARE REPORTED TO THE SOCIAL SERVICE AUTHORITIES OF THE VARIOUS ADMINISTRATIVE DISTRICTS WHO IN TURN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO REPORT SPECIFIC INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE -- WHICH IS RARELY DONE. IN A TYPICAL SUBURBAN DISTRICT WITH A MIDDLE CLASS POPULATION IN THE 350,000 RANGE, PERHAPS 10 TO 12 CASES OF ABUSE WILL BE REPORTED IN A YEAR AND BECAUSE THE PERSONNEL IN DAY INSTITUTIONS, HEALTH NURSES, SCHOOL NURSES, ETC. ARE INSTRUCTED AS TO WHAT TO LOOK FOR AS REGARDS SIGNS OF ABUSE, IT IS DOUBTED THAT ANY CASES OF ABUSE ARE MISSED. THE ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE AUTHORITIES IN RESPONSE TO A CASE OF ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED. THESE INCLUDED PREVENTING THE CHILD FROM BEING RETURNED TO THE HOME; ORDERING AN EXAMINATION BY A DOCTOR OR PSYCHOLOGIST; PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD IN A DAY INSTITUTION APPROPRIATE FOR ITS AGE; A SCHEDULE OF HOME VISITS BY A SUPERVISOR; ECONOMIC AID AND COUNSELING; OR ASSIGNING A HOUSEHOLD DAYWORKER TO AID THE MOTHER WITH CHORES AND CHILDREARING. BEYOND THE GOVERNMENTAL REALM, A GROUP OF FAMILIES HAVE STARTED A VOLUNTARY SERVICE TO PROVIDE ADVICE AND SUPPORT THROUGH A 24-HOUR PHONE CONSULTATION PROGRAM. THE THERAPEUTIC METHODS UTILIZED BY THE DANISH AUTHORITIES ARE INEXPENSIVE, NONBUREAUCRATIC, AND APPARENTLY QUITE SUCCESSFUL. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. NO TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (KBL)