NCJ Number
53913
Journal
ON PATROL IN MANITOBA Volume: 5 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1979) Pages: 11-14
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEM IN CANADA REVEALS THE INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE POLICE, PARTICULARLY IN PREVENTION.
Abstract
PROVINCIAL LAWS REQUIRE POLICE TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT ALL SUSPECTED CASES OF CHILD ABUSE TO THE PROPER PROVINCIAL AUTHORITIES. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A CHILD WELFARE ACT IN EVERY PROVINCE THAT PROVIDES FOR POLICE AND WELFARE WORKERS TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM A HOME WHERE, UPON REASONABLE GROUNDS, CHILD ABUSE IS SUSPECTED. DESPITE THESE LAWS, HOWEVER, VERY FEW CASES OF CHILD ABUSE ARE REPORTED, DUE TO LACK OF PUBLIC INTERVENTION IN PARENTAL CHILD ABUSE. DENTISTS, TEACHERS, CLERGY, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND EVEN DOCTORS OFTEN FAIL TO REPORT CASES OF SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE TO THE POLICE. A MAJOR PART OF EVERY INVESTIGATION IS PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THE POLICE BOTH BY REPORTING AN OFFENSE AND BY TESTIFYING AS TO WHAT WAS SEEN OR HEARD. IF THE PUBLIC IS APATHETIC, THE POLICE MAY WELL REFLECT THIS SAME ATTITUDE. TRADITIONALLY, POLICE HAVE HAD A SOCIAL-SERVICE ROLE IN CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION, BUT NOW THE NEED IS TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE POLICE ROLE IN A MUTUALLY COMPLEMENTARY APPROACH WITH OTHER RESPONSIBLE AGENCIES. COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE STRENGTHENED BETWEEN SOCIAL WORKERS AND POLICE AND BETWEEN JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES AND POLICE. LEGISLATION SHOULD PROVIDE FAMILY COURTS WITH THE AUTHORITY TO SENTENCE CHILD ABUSERS TO A REHABILITATION-TREATMENT CENTER. ALSO, A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT PROGRAMS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE. AN EFFICIENT, ACCURATE REPORTING SYSTEM IS NEEDED. THE LAW MUST PROVIDE SOME FORM OF PENALTY FOR FAILING TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE, INCLUDING A CLAUSE OF CIVIL-LIABILITY PROTECTION FOR THOSE WHO DO REPORT. ALL REPORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO A CENTRAL REGISTRY. IN THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH OF THE AGENCIES, ONE AGENCY SHOULD BE DESIGNATED AS THE RESPONSIBLE AGENCY FOR ALL ACTION INITIATED. PARTICULAR CONCERN MUST BE DIRECTED TOWARD RURAL AREAS WHERE FEW REHABILITATIVE FACILITIES ARE AVAILABLE. CONTINUING TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT FIRST PROTECT THE CHILD FROM ADULT ABUSE, POLICE FORESEE HAVING EVEN BROADER DISCRETIONARY POWERS AND TRAINING IN THE FUTURE, PARTICIPATING MORE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, AND ENABLING GREATER CITIZEN COOPERATION. (FCW)