NCJ Number
65120
Date Published
1978
Length
162 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT DISCUSSES TWO STUDIES OF GUIDELINES, PROBLEMS AND DECISIONMAKING IN CHILD ABUSE CASES HANDLED BY THE MEMBER ORGANISATIONS OF THE ONTARIO ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES (OACAS) (CANADA).
Abstract
IN A STUDY OF THE GUIDELINES AND PRACTICES OF 50 CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES REPORTING HIGH AS WELL AS LOW AMOUNTS OF CHILD ABUSE DATA WERE COLLECTED THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEWS OF SOCIAL WORKERS. FINDINGS SHOW THAT AGENCIES IN SMALL, RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT CASE HANDLING PROBLEMS, AND NO SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY FOR HANDLING CASES AMONG INDIANS EXISTS. FURTHER, ALL THE SOCIETIES NEED EXPANDED CHILD ABUSE EDUCATION FOR SOCIAL WORKERS. EXISTING AGENCY GUIDELINES VARY GREATLY AMONG THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, NOT IN WRITING, AND NEED TO BE MORE EXTENSIVELY DEVELOPED. MOREOVER, MANY AGENCIES ARE PLAGUED WITH INEXPERIENCED STAFF. OTHER FINDINGS COVER OACAS PRACTICES IN REMOVING CHILDREN FROM AND RETURNING THEM TO THEIR HOMES, REFERRING CASES TO COURT, RELATIONSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ONTARIO PROVINCE INTERVENE WITH FIRM LEADERSHIP TO IMPROVE MATTERS. THE OTHER STUDY ANALYZED 13 CASES OF CHILD ABUSE RESULTING IN DEATH IN 1976-1977, WITH OTHER CASES NOT INVOLVING DEATH AND EVIDENCING GOOD CASE MANAGEMENT INCLUDED AS CONTROLS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS PAID TO WHO REPORTED AND WHO RECEIVED THE INITIAL COMPLAINT, HOW IT WAS INVESTIGATED, AND WHAT ACTION WAS TAKEN. ANALYSIS OF THE CASE SUMMARIES SHOWED THAT INFANTS UNDER AGE 2 HAVE A MUCH HIGHER RISK OF DEATH; THAT SOCIAL WORKERS SHOULD PAY ESPECIALLY CLOSE ATTENTION TO COMPLAINTS AGAINST YOUNG, UNSTABLE PARENTS WITH VERY YOUNG CHILDREN; AND THAT SINCE SOME DEATHS RESULTED AFTER SOCIAL WORKERS DECIDED NOT TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOMES, AGENCIES SHOULD REMEMBER THAT PROTECTING CHILDREN IS THEIR FIRST PRIORITY. APPENDIXES, FOOTNOTES, AND TABLES ARE INCLUDED. FOR INDIVIDUAL STUDIES, SEE NCJ 65121-22.