CHILD ABUSE - PREDICTION, PREVENTION AND FOLLOW UP

• NCJ Number: 58628
• Author(s): A W FRANKLIN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 224 pages
• Corporate Author: Churchill Livingstone
• Sale Source: Longman Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PAPERS PRESENTED BY THE TUNBRDIGE WELLS STUDY GROUP ON CHILD ABUSE, FARNHAM, SURREY, OCTOBER 18-21, 1976

Annotation

PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE SECOND TUNBRIDGE WELLS STUDY GROUP OF 1976 COVER THE EDUCATIONAL, PROFESSIONAL, AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE, ITS PREVENTION AND PREDICTION, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR FOLLOWUP.

Abstract

IN ORDER TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR PEDIATRICIANS, GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, SOCIAL WORKERS, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND THE POLICE, THE STUDY GROUP FOCUSED ON THE IDENTIFICATION OF VULNERABLE FAMILIES AND ON THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE. A DISCUSSION OF THE CHILD-ORIENTED APPROACH TO THE PREVENTION OF ABUSE SHOWS THAT THE CONCEPTS OF ABUSIVE PARENTING, THE EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF THE PARENT-CHILD DYAD, AND THE ISSUE OF PRIMARY INTERVENTION CAN BE CRUCIAL TO THE REDUCTION OF CHILD ABUSE INCIDENTS. THE KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILD ABUSE, IDENTIFIED HERE IN THEIR SOCIAL FRAMEWORK AND EXPLAINED AS RESULTS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS OR CHILD REARING PRACTICES, ARE LISTED AS THEY MANIFEST THEMSELVES IN CHILDREN. PROBLEMS OF PRACTICE ARE PRESENTED FROM THE VIEWPOINTS OF PROFESSIONALS, THE POLICE, PROBATION OFFICERS, AND THOSE WHO MUST DEAL WITH AFTERCARE SERVICE. LEGAL ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE ARE REVIEWED, INCLUDING THE CHILDREN ACT 1975, THE PREPARATION OF EVIDENCE IN CARE PROCEEDINGS, WARDSHIP JURISDICTION, AND THE CONTROVERSIAL STATUTORY REMOVAL OF A NEWBORN BABY. OTHER TOPICS EXAMINED ARE THE EARLY ALERTING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE, A NURSE'S OBSERVATIONS OF MOTHERS AND BABIES INSIDE THE NURSERY, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN FROM ABUSIVE FAMILIES. THE EDUCATION OF MOTHERS AND PARENTS IS STRESSED AS AN INFLUENTIAL ASPECT OF PREVENTIVE CARE, AND SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS. THE OPINIONS AND REFLECTIONS OF GENERAL PRACTITIONERS, MAGISTRATES, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND HEALTH VISITORS ARE PRESENTED. AMONG RESOLUTIONS FROM THIS SECOND MEETING WAS THE SUGGESTION THAT, IN FAMILIES JUDGED TO BE AT RISK, GREATER USE SHOULD BE MADE OF COMMUNITY MIDWIVES IN THE ANTENATAL SUPERVISION OF WOMEN EITHER IN THEIR HOMES OR IN HEALTH CENTERS. OTHER RESOLUTIONS ARE PRESENTED, ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESEARCH TOOLS, AND FURTHER RESEARCH. APPENDIXES PROVIDE A SYLLABUS FOR A COURSE IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND THE FAMILY, AND A SURVEY AND QUESTIONNAIRE. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (MHP)