NCJ Number
55478
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE CHANGING ROLE OF THE POLICE OFFICER IN CASES OF ACTUAL OR SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE IS REVIEWED, AND THE WORK OF THE FAMILY CONSULTANT SERVICE OF THE LONDON, ONTARIO (CANADA), POLICE FORCE IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
IN 1965 THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO PASSED A CHILD WELFARE ACT MANDATING THE REPORTING OF ALL SUSPECTED CASES OF 'NEGLECT, ABANDONMENT, DESERTION, OR PHYSICAL ILL-TREATMENT' OF A CHILD. THIS LAW CAUSED A REEXAMINATION OF THE TRADITIONAL POLICE ROLE IN SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE CASES. SINCE THE POLICE ARE USUALLY THE PERSONS CALLED DURING DOMESTIC CRISES, AND SINCE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD ABUSE, THE OFFICERS OF THE LONDON POLICE FORCE HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO TAKE A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE IDENTIFICATION AND HANDLING OF POTENTIAL CHILD ABUSE SITUATIONS. TO HELP THEM IN THIS NEW ROLE, THE FAMILY CONSULTANT SERVICE WAS SET UP. ALTHOUGH THE SERVICE WAS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE SOCIAL SERVICES INTERVENTION AND SUPPORT FOR SPOUSE ABUSE AND DOMESTIC ASSAULT CASES, A STRONG COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM IS THE CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION AND PREVENTION SERVICE. WHENEVER A POLICE OFFICER SUSPECTS ABUSE OR NEGLECT, THE CONSULTANT SERVICE IS NOTIFIED. THE SERVICE OPERATES OUT OF POLICE HEADQUARTERS WITH EXTENDED WEEK-END HOURS TO PROVIDED MAXIMUM SERVICE DURING PEAK TIMES FOR DOMESTIC CRISIS CALLS. THE 69 CASES OF ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL CHILD ABUSE HANDLED FROM JULY THROUGH DECEMBER 1976, ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL. CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL ASPECTS OF THE PROBLEM AND THE NEED FOR SPECIALIZED PERSONNEL TO HELP THE OFFICER AT THE TIME OF CRISIS AND TO PROVIDE CLOSE FOLLOWUP AND LIAISON. EXTENSIVE NOTES AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)