SOMEWHERE A CHILD IS CRYING - MALTREATMENT - CAUSES AND PREVENTION

• NCJ Number: 13392
• Author(s): V J FONTANA
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 288 pages
• Sale Source: Macmillan
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DISCUSSES THE BATTERED CHILD SYNDROME AND CAUSES, SUCH AS SICK FAMILIES AND FAILURE OF THE COURTS TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM THE HOMES OF UNFIT PARENTS, AND OFFERS ADVICE ON RECOGNIZING NEGLECTED CHILDREN.

Abstract

SEVERAL CASE STUDIES ARE PRESENTED TO ILLUSTRATE COMMON SITUATIONS UNDER WHICH PHYSICAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN OCCURS AND THE HORRORS OF THIS ABUSE (DEATH, PERMANENT DEFORMITIES, AND EMOTIONAL DISORDERS. THESE CASE STUDIES ALSO INDICATE THE RELUCTANCE OF THE COURTS TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM HIS NATURAL PARENTS, OFTEN DESPITE THE DANGER OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE AUTHOR NOTES THE ABUSE WHICH OCCURS DUE TO THE INABILITY OF COURT AGENCIES TO PROPERLY SUPERVISE FAMILIES SEEKING HELP BECAUSE OF INSUFFICIENT STAFF AND OVERWHELMING CASELOAD. THE AUTHOR OUTLINES A CONCRETE PROGRAM FOR ELIMINATING ITS CAUSES AND PREVENTING FURTHER TRAGEDIES. EMERGENCY HOTLINE NUMBERS TO CALL AND A CHECKLIST OF DIAGNOSTIC GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED FOR TEACHERS, NEIGHBORS, OR ANYONE WHO SUSPECTS INSTANCES OF CHILD ABUSE. SUGGESTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING PREVENTIVE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND SOCIAL AGENCIES ARE ALSO MADE.