NCJ Number
2204
Date Published
1971
Length
112 pages
Annotation
TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT INFLICTED UPON CHILDREN, AND THE MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THESE CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
Abstract
THE DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA USED TO CONFIRM SUSPICIONS CONCERNING A CHILD'S INJURIES AND SKELETAL LESIONS ARE EXPLAINED CLEARLY. IN DISCUSSING PREVENTIVE MEASURES, STRESS IS PLACED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IMMEDIATE REMOVAL OF THE CHILD FROM A LIFE-THREATENING ENVIRONMENT AND THE NEED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE PARENTS TO RESOLVE AND ELIMINATE THE CONDITIONS AND FACTORS THAT MOTIVATED THEIR BEHAVIOR. ALL THE POSSIBLE RESOURCES OF THE MEDICAL, SOCIAL AND LEGAL AGENCIES MUST BE BROUGHT TOGETHER COOPERATIVELY TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN FROM FUTURE NEGLECT AND ABUSE AND TO GIVE THE PARENTS THERAPEUTIC HELP THAT CAN LEAD TO BETTER PARENTAL CARE. SECTIONS FROM PENAL CODE OF CALIFORNIA AND A SUMMARY OF THE NEW YORK STATE CHILD ABUSE LAW ARE REPRODUCED. THERE ARE CASE REPORTS AND CASE ILLUSTRATIONS OF MALTREATED CHILDREN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)