NCJ Number
48967
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER, BASED ON STUDIES IN AMERICA AND GREAT BRITAIN, PLACES EMPHASIS ON THE ROLE OF POLICE AND NOTIFICATION OF THE POLICE IN CHILD ABUSE CASES.
Abstract
CHILD ABUSE IS DEFINED, AND SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE MEDICAL DOCTOR'S ROLE ARE OUTLINED. THE ROLE OF POLICE IN THE FIELD OF CHILD ABUSE HAS CREATED DISPARATE VIEWS ABOUT SOCIAL, MEDICAL, AND LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT. SOME FEEL THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO POLICE INVOLVEMENT AT ALL; SOME POLICE FORCES, HOWEVER, INSIST THAT, SINCE PHYSICAL INJURY OF A CHILD IS A CRIME, THE CONCEALMENT OF THESE CASES IS UNLAWFUL, AND ALL INJURIES TO CHILDREN SHOULD BE REPORTED TO THEM. THE POLICE VIEW IS THAT ONLY EXPERIENCED, SPECIALLY TRAINED OFFICERS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE CASES SHOULD BE APPOINTED TO INVESTIGATE THEM. DELAY IN NOTIFICATION OF THE POLICE COULD LEAD TO LOSS OR SUPPRESSION OF VALUABLE EVIDENCE FOR A SUBSEQUENT TRIAL OR EVEN TO THE ACQUITTAL OF A PARENT IN A PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCE WHERE CONVICTION WOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY. THE NEED FOR A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF EARLY NOTIFICATION OF SUSPECTED CASES; FOR JOINT INVOLVEMENT AMONG THE POLICE, DOCTORS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS; AND FOR POLICE REPRESENTATION AT CASE CONFERENCES AS WELL AS ON REVIEW COMMITTEES IS STRESSED. ALL PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED SHOULD HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT IS IN THE POSSESSION OF EVERY OTHER PROFESSIONAL. IT IS THE POLICE VIEW THAT DECISIONS ABOUT PROCEEDINGS MUST REMAIN WITH THE POLICE AT A SENIOR LEVEL IN CASES NOT DEALT WITH BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS; ACCOUNT SHOULD BE TAKEN OF ALL THE ATTENDANT CIRCUMSTANCES, AND POLICE OF SENIOR RANK SHOULD ATTEND REVIEW COMMITTEES. (RBS)