NCJ Number
55931
Journal
R C M P GAZETTE Volume: 40 Issue: 8 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 8-12
Date Published
1978
Length
5 pages
Annotation
WHILE ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN CHILDREN, CRIMES COMMITTED WITHIN THE HOME ARE NEARLY UNPUNISHABLE. SOCIETY NEEDS TO FACE THE FACT THAT THE FAMILY RELATIONSHIP IS NO EXCUSE FOR ASSAULT OR MURDER.
Abstract
THE U.S. NATIONAL CENTER ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LISTS CHILD ABUSE AS THE FIFTH KILLER OF CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES AFTER ACCIDENTS, CANCER, CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES, AND PNEUMONIA. IF ALL ACCIDENTAL DEATHS WERE PROPERLY INVESTIGATED AND IF THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO DIE OF PNEUMONIA BROUGHT ON BY NEGLECT WERE CORRECTLY ASSESSED, CHILD ABUSE WOULD FALL MUCH CLOSER TO THE TOP AS A CAUSE OF DEATH. THE RELUCTANCE OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, POLICE, AND THE COURTS TO BECOME INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN BE TRACED TO THE BELIEF THAT A MAN'S HOME IS HIS CASTLE AND THE EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE THEREIN ARE PRIVATE FAMILY MATTERS. IT IS ONLY RECENTLY THAT SOCIETY HAS REALIZED THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS COSTLY AND THAT THESE COSTS REPRESENT NOT ONLY THE CRIMES COMMITTED IN THE FAMILY, BUT ALSO THE VIOLENCE AND CRIME PERPETRATED ON THE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE BY THOSE WHO LEARN VIOLENCE AT HOME. HOWEVER, SOCIAL AGENCIES HAVE BEEN SLOW TO ACT. IN ALMOST ALL CASES OF CHILD MURDER, NOT ONLY DID OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS KNOW OF PRIOR ATTACKS, BUT OFTEN SO DID SEVERAL ADULTS FROM VARIOUS AREAS OF COMMUNITY LIFE. LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND COURTS ARE URGED TO RECOGNIZE THAT ASSAULT AND MURDER ARE STILL CRIMES EVEN IF THEY TAKE PLACE WITHIN THE FAMILY. CANADIAN LAWS WHICH PERMIT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE ABOLISHED, AS SUCH LAWS HAVE BEEN IN SWEDEN. IN CALIFORNIA ASSAULTS WITHIN THE FAMILY ARE BEING PUNISHED JUST AS ANY OTHER ASSAULT. CANADIAN OFFICIALS ARE URGED TO FOLLOW THIS EXAMPLE TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN OF THE COUNTRY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED IN FOOTNOTES. (GLR)