NCJ Number
162284
Journal
Mississippi Voices for Children and Youth Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (January-February 1996) Pages: 22-24
Date Published
1996
Length
3 pages
Annotation
After identifying obstacles to the prevention of child abuse fatalities, this executive summary of a full report describes existing efforts and opportunities that show promise in helping to understand and prevent such fatalities; and it offers 26 recommendations for addressing chronic problems within the child protection system.
Abstract
The first chapter discusses the lack of knowledge about the scope and nature of child abuse and neglect fatalities and offers recommendations for addressing it. It advises that a significant reduction in fatal child abuse requires a more sophisticated understanding of the problem and a greater commitment of resources. The second chapter examines the need for improved investigation and prosecution of child abuse and fatality cases. It notes that even if a fatality is recognized by the system and an investigation is conducted, the criminal justice system may respond poorly. Prosecutors often reduce child homicides to lesser crimes or do not charge perpetrators at all. Many of the key agencies involved still do not fully exercise their roles in investigating abuse and neglect or in assuring a child's safety. Recommendations for this chapter focus on improving the education of professionals, so they can be more effective in investigating abuse and neglect and in holding perpetrators accountable for child deaths. Chapter three describes the encouraging emergence of Child Death Review Teams. Recommendations emphasize the importance of such teams in assessing child fatalities, pinpointing system flaws, and promoting prevention services. Chapter four emphasizes the need for more aggressive efforts to protect children and facilitate community-based family services and primary prevention efforts to help families live safe and healthy lives.