NCJ Number
54015
Date Published
Unknown
Length
101 pages
Annotation
RECOMMENDATIONS DERIVED FROM WORKSHOP GROUPS ARE PRESENTED, AND A SHORT AND LONG TERM ACTION PROGRAM IS PROPOSED, ALONG WITH A STRUCTURE FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA.
Abstract
THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE CHILD MALTREATMENT WORKSHOP WAS HELD IN MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA IN JUNE, 1975. THE AIM OF THE WORKSHOP WAS FOLLOWS: (1) THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROGRAM TO BRING ABOUT ATTITUDINAL CHANGE WHICH WOULD LEAD TO APPROPRIATE APPROACHES TO THE PREVENTION OF CHILD MALTREATMENT, AND (2) THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROGRAMS FOR TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT. WORKSHOP GROUPS DEALT WITH THESE SUBJECTS: THE EXAMINATION OF PROFESSIONAL AND COMMUNITY ATTITUDES TOWARD CHILD MALTREATMENT; THE DETERMINATION OF THE NEED FOR PREVENTIVE SERVICES AND HOW THESE MAY BE DEVELOPED; THE ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT METHODS OF EVALUATION, MANAGEMENT, AND TREATMENT, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE METHODS; THE EXAMINATION OF SOCIOCULTURAL INFLUENCES ON CHILD MALTREATMENT; AND THE STUDY OF THE LAW IN RELATION TO CHILD MALTREATMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REVISION. THE GROUPS EXAMINING THESE ISSUES MET REGULARLY, GENERALLY MONTHLY, FROM JUNE, 1975, THROUGH APRIL, 1976. THIS BOOKLET REPORTS THE OUTCOMES OF THESE GROUP DELIBERATIONS. FOLLOWING A REVIEW OF LITERATURE ON CHILD MALTREATMENT, A CHAPTER IS DEVOTED TO A NUMBER OF RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS AIMED AT PROMOTING INDIVIDUAL, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY WELL-BEING, ALL OF WHICH ARE PREDICATED UPON THE ASSUMPTION THAT AN IMPROVEMENT IN THESE AREAS WILL PREVENT CHILD MALTREATMENT. IN A CHAPTER ON SERVICE DELIVERY, THE NEED FOR RESOURCES IN THE HEALTH/WELFARE FIELD IS EMPHASIZED. ANOTHER CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE MAIN AREAS OF LEGISLATIVE ACTION RECOMMENDED TO IMPLEMENT CHANGES OUTLINED IN THE REPORT. ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE COMPULSORY NOTIFICATION OF CHILD ABUSE ARE PRESENTED, WITH THE WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS GENERAL FAVORING VOLUNTARY NOTIFICATION OF ABUSE. AREAS FOR NEEDED RESEARCH ARE DISCUSSED, AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSING THE RECOMMENDED PROGRAMS ARE CONSIDERED. THE APPENDIXES INCLUDE A BILL TO AMEND EXISTING CHILD ABUSE LEGISLATION, A CHILD CARE BILL, MODEL PROVISIONS, A LIST OF ACTION COMMITTEE MEMBERS, A LIST OF WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS, AND A LIST OF OTHER PARTICIPANTS. (RCB)