NCJ Number
46809
Journal
MILITARY POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT JOURNAL Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 8-13
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN OVERVIEW OF THE CAUSES AND NATURE OF CHILD ABUSE AND OF PUNITIVE AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE DISCUSSION OPENS WITH CASE STUDIES OF CHILD ABUSE, FOLLOWED BY ESTIMATES OF THE INCIDENCE OF CHILD ABUSE AND A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE HISTORY OF THE PROBLEM. REASONS BEHIND THE APPARENT RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF SOCIETY TO SECURE RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN AND TO PASS LAWS TO PROTECT THEM ARE CONSIDERED. DIFFERENCES AMONG PHYSICIANS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHIATRISTS, LAW ENFORCERS, AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL GROUPS CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE CHILD ABUSE PROBLEM AND THE APPROPRIATE SOLUTION ARE NOTED. COMMON MYTHS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE ARE NOTED. CHARACTERISTICS GENERALLY EXHIBITED BY ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND BY ABUSING/NEGLECTING PARENTS ARE LISTED. FACTORS THOUGHT TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE LIKELIHOOD OF ABUSE ARE OUTLINED. REASONS FOR FAVORING A THERAPEUTIC APPROACH TO MANAGING CHILD ABUSE OVER A PUNITIVE APPROACH ARE EXAMINED. THE IMPORTANCE OF POLICE CONDUCT IN RESPONDING TO CHILD ABUSE IS NOTED. (LKM)