NCJ Number
127392
Date Published
1991
Length
22 pages
Annotation
This case study demonstrates that child abuse can be transmitted from one generation to the next and that breaking the cycle is important for the abused child and the child's future offspring.
Abstract
The child in question was brought to the hospital by her parents where acute brain injury was diagnosed. Medical personnel determined that the injury was due to violent shaking, since no significant external head trauma was observed. The father later admitted he had shaken her, not realizing the serious damage violent shaking can cause to a young infant. After the final court hearing, the father was absolved of the attempted manslaughter charge. The defense case was based on the possibility that a forceps delivery may have been responsible for the injury. The child was left with permanent cerebral damage and is severely retarded and blind and has spastic quadriplegia. Medical, child protection, legal, social, and family issues associated with the case are reviewed, as well as treatment options. The following measures to prevent many cases of child abuse are offered: perinatal coaching to provide new parents with the skills necessary to communicate with their new child; home care assistance when needed; expanded baby care; teaching preschool and primary school children interpersonal and problem-solving skills to help them resolve everyday problems; crash course in "childhood" for adults and some young adults who need a second chance to learn skills they should have learned in childhood; and preparent refresher course to revise previously taught concepts of appropriate ways to interact with partners and children. 56 references