NCJ Number
59035
Date Published
1978
Length
70 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT ON CHILD ABUSE IN ONTARIO, CANADA, CONCLUDES THAT CURRENT SERVICES AND AGENCIES DO NOT EFFECTIVELY PROTECT CHILDREN FROM ABUSE OR VIOLENT DEATH, AND THEREFORE RECOMMENDS SYSTEM CHANGES.
Abstract
THE REPORT WAS PREPARED BY A TASK FORCE CONVENED BY THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES IN FEBRUARY, 1978, AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC CONCERN OVER AN APPARENT INCREASE IN DEATHS FROM CHILD ABUSE. THE TASK FORCE'S MAJOR FOCUS WAS ON THE CARETAKING AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROVIDED BY CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES (CAS'S), BECAUSE CAS'S ARE BOTH THE AUTHORITY WHICH REMOVES THE ABUSED CHILD FROM THE HOME AND TESTIFIES IN COURT REGARDING TERMINATION OF PARENTAL RIGHTS, AND THE AGENT FOR REHABILITATING THE ABUSING FAMILY. SPECIFIC AREAS EXAMINED INCLUDE STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING, DECISIONMAKING PROCEDURES, SUPERVISORY PRACTICES, MONITORING OF CASE PROGRESS, RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COURT PROCESS, AND RESOURCES. CAS'S WERE FOUND TO VARY WIDELY IN OPERATION AND EFFECTIVENESS. AMONG THE 21 TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE THAT THE GOVERNMENT SET AND MONITOR STANDARDS FOR ALL CAS PROCEDURES, PRACTICES, SERVICES, AND REPORTING; THAT A CAS ACCREDITATION PROCESS BE DEVELOPED; AND THAT MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS BE FORMED FOR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE. IN ADDITION, BOTH THE CAS AND THE ABUSED CHILD SHOULD BE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL IN COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND 24-HOUR PROTECTIVE CARE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE. DETAILS OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, A LIST OF TASK FORCE MEMBERS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, AND APPENDIXES WITH INFORMATION SOURCES, CORRESPONDENCE TO THE TASK FORCE, AND A REVIEW OF SEPARATE RESEARCH ARE INCLUDED. (CFW)