NCJ Number
56315
Date Published
1978
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE FROM THE ATTORNEYS' HANDBOOK CONCERNING CHILD ABUSE ADVOCATES THE EFFECTIVE COOPERATION OF ATTORNEYS, POLICE, PHYSICIANS, AND CHILD PROTECTIVE PERSONNEL IN IDENTIFYING AND TREATING ABUSED CHILDREN.
Abstract
ATTORNEYS AND SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE RELUCTANCE OF PHYSICIANS TO CALL ATTENTION TO INSTANCES OF POSSIBLE CHILD ABUSE. WHILE PHYSICIANS ARE WELL-QUALIFIED TO TREAT AND EVEN DIAGNOSE CHILD ABUSE, THEY ALSO MAY TEND TO ACCEPT THE PARENTS' STATEMENTS REGARDING THE CAUSE OF THE INJURIES, AND THEY MAY FEEL CONSTRAINED BY THEIR DOCTOR-PATIENT CONFIDENTIALITY. THEREFORE, ATTORNEYS AND SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD KEEP PHYSICIANS INFORMED OF THE LOCAL REPORTING STATUTES, AND PHYSICIANS SHOULD ASSIST POLICE AND PUBLIC PERSONNEL IN IDENTIFYING THE MEDICAL SIGNS OF ABUSE. THE PATHOLOGIC CLASSIFICATION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT INCLUDES BOTH ACTIVE AND PASSIVE ABUSE. ACTIVE ABUSE INCLUDES MULTIPLE BEATINGS ('BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME'), INTENTIONAL MALNUTRITION, AND DRUG ABUSE. PASSIVE ABUSE INCLUDES LACK OF SUPERVISION, EMOTIONAL NEGLECT, AND THE INABILITY TO PROVIDE BASIC PROTECTIVE NEEDS (CLOTHING, SHELTER, HEALTH CARE, ETC.). EMOTIONAL ABUSE MAY BE MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN PHYSICAL ABUSE IN IMPAIRING AN INDIVIDUAL'S DEVELOPMENT. BATTERED CHILDREN ARE MORE LIKELY THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION TO BECOME ABUSIVE PARENTS. PATHOLOGISTS AND PROSECUTORS SHOULD WORK TOGETHER IN IDENTIFYING AND DOCUMENTING EVIDENCE OF POTENTIAL MEDICOLEGAL VALUE. INJURIES SUCH AS PATTERNED ABRASIONS AND FACIAL SCARS SHOULD BE DISCUSSED SO THAT THEIR CAUSE IS DISCOVERED. EXAMPLES ARE CITED INDICATING THAT BOTH THE MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS MUST WORK TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE, THROUGH ADEQUATE REPORTING, AND SUBSEQUENT ACTION ON THE REPORTS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)