NCJ Number
143317
Date Published
1993
Length
43 pages
Annotation
An interdisciplinary task force convened in 1992 examined the circumstances related to the deaths of 32 children from child abuse and neglect and to recommend actions for improved child abuse prevention, detection, and intervention.
Abstract
The 21 participants included leaders from health care, forensics, the courts, law enforcement, social services, education, and advocacy organizations. Common themes emerging from their study included the need for all citizens to accept accountability for the well-being of children, inconsistent values around parenting and children's rights, an increased awareness of child abuse, denial of the problem, the need for better parent education, and procedural changes in prevention and intervention efforts. Specific actions recommended include improving social services and interagency cooperation, training health care professionals and mental health agencies to assess for child abuse, increasing the use and effectiveness of multidisciplinary investigative teams, and making legal and judicial changes to facilitate better services to children and families. Tables, figures, and statements of actions that individual task force members plan to take