NCJ Number
66061
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 31 Issue: 1 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1980) Pages: 43-50
Date Published
1980
Length
8 pages
Annotation
IN AN ADDRESS TO A 1978 INTERDISCIPLINARY CONFERENCE ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, A COLORADO DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DISCUSSES WAYS TO COMBAT THE 'TYRANNY OF VIOLENCE' WHICH THREATENS AMERICAN SOCIETY.
Abstract
THIS TYRANNY IS ILLUSTRATED BY THE CRIME STATISTICS AND BY PEOPLE'S FEARS OF WALKING THE STREETS AT NIGHT. TO COMBAT THE TYRANNY OF VIOLENCE, IT IS NECESSARY TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF CRIME, DELINQUENCY, AND OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MALADJUSTMENT. THE APPROXIMATELY 10 PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WHICH CONSTITUTES 90 PERCENT OF THE SOCIAL MISFITS MUST BE THE TARGET GROUP FOR THESE EFFORTS. COMMUNITY NEGLECT AND INDIFFERENCE HAVE PROGRAMMED THESE PEOPLE FOR THEIR ROLE AS MISFITS. AS EARLY AS KINDERGARTEN, SOME CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR SUGGESTS THEIR DISRUPTIVE HOME ENVIRONMENT. IT IS NECESSARY TO FIND A WAY TO REACH THESE TROUBLED CHILDREN AND THEIR TROUBLED FAMILIES, BEFORE THEY REACH A POINT OF NO RETURN. MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE CHILD'S RIGHTS TO A SECURE HOME, LOVE AND AFFECTION, CONSTRUCTIVE PARENTAL GUIDANCE, ADEQUATE NUTRITION, MEDICAL CARE, AND AN EDUCATION COMMENSURATE WITH ABILITY, MUST BE RECOGNIZED. PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY ALSO HAVE BOTH RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. CURRENT AGENCIES AND PROFESSIONS SERVING CHILDREN (MEDICAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, SOCIAL WORK, EDUCATIONAL, LEGAL, AND THE PUBLIC) ARE DEFICIENT IN IDENTIFYING OR DEALING WITH CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES; SPECIFIC REMEDIES FOR EACH OF THESE AGENCIES OR PROFESSIONS ARE SUGGESTED. TO OVERCOME IMPEDIMENTS TO REPORTING BY THE PUBLIC, THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED: (1) AVAILABILITY OF A WELL-PUBLICIZED TELEPHONE NUMBER WITH 24-HOUR COVERAGE, (2) THE RIGHT TO REPORT ANONYMOUSLY, (3) IMMEDIATE RESPONSE BY A PROTECTIVE SERVICE UNIT AND AVAILABILITY OF SHELTER CARE, (4) IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE COURT FOR PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND CUSTODY FOR ENDANGERED CHILDREN, (5) RESOURCES FOR TROUBLED FAMILIES, AND (6) PERIODIC FEEDBACK TO COMMUNITIES ON THE CONSTRUCTIVE AND NONPUNITIVE RESULTS OF SUCH REPORTING. ALL CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS SHOULD WORK TO BECOME CHILD ADVOCATES. (CFW)