NCJ Number
57646
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER ARGUES THAT THE INVOLVEMENT OF PSYCHIATRISTS IN CHILD ABUSE COURT CASES CAN ONLY BE PRODUCTIVE IF IT GOES BEYOND THE USUAL COURT CONCERNS OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND COMPETENCY.
Abstract
PSYCHIATRISTS WHO BECOME INVOLVED IN COURT PROCEEDINGS SHOULD BECOME AWARE OF THE NATURE OF THEIR PARTICIPATION AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO THEM IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE. IF THEY ARE TO AVOID BECOMING MERELY THE TOOLS OF INTERESTED COURT PARTICIPANTS, THEN PSYCHIATRISTS MUST ADDRESS THE OVERRIDING QUESTION OF PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM FURTHER ABUSE. THEY CAN ASSUME THIS ROLE IF THEY UNDERSTAND THE REASONS THEY HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BECOME INVOLVED. FOR EXAMPLE, IF PSYCHIATRISTS ARE ASKED TO PRESENT DEFENSE TESTIMONY, THEY SHOULD REALIZE THE DEFENSE IS MORE INTERESTED IN PROTECTING CLIENTS THAN IN ADDRESSING THE CHILD ABUSE SITUATION. TWO GENERAL TYPES OF PSYCHIATRISTS BECOME INVOLVED. FORENSIC PSYCHIATRISTS ARE ASKED TO IDENTIFY OR EXCLUDE FORMAL PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN PARENTS CHARGED WITH ABUSE AND TO INDICATE HOW SUCH DISORDERS WOULD AFFECT THE DEFENDANT'S CAPACITY TO FORM INTENT, MOTIVATION AND IMPULSE CONTROL. PSYCHIATRISTS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRESSURE PLACED UPON THEM TO FIND SUCH DISORDERS. THE COMMUNITY PSYCHIATRIST IS USUALLY CALLED TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CHILD ABUSE IN PARTICULAR FAMILIES. THIS VITAL ROLE CAN BE PERFORMED MOST PRODUCTIVELY IF PSYCHIATRISTS ARE WILLING TO BECOME ACTIVE MEMBERS OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAMS ASSIGNED TO WORK WITH THE FAMILY. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP).