NCJ Number
208659
Journal
Child Abuse Review Volume: 13 Issue: 6 Dated: November-December 2004 Pages: 433-440
Date Published
November 2004
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article profiles the experiences of the NEWPIN program in Australia, which is a center-based intensive child protection and parent education intervention for children under 5 years old and their parents.
Abstract
NEWPIN centers currently exist at five sites throughout the country. NEWPIN offers group therapy, play therapy, parenting information, a 24-hour peer support network, and direct vocational skill training to 20-25 families who are at risk for child abuse and need guidance and support to improve their parenting skills. NEWPIN has a high proportion of both indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island) parents and parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Qualitative and quantitative research on NEWPIN centers found that mothers reported improved self-esteem and confidence, and they had made positive changes in themselves and their children. Also, children's problem behaviors were reduced. Overall, the evaluation concluded that the risk for child abuse by the parents attending NEWPIN centers was significantly reduced, as parents became less rigid in their expectations and management of their children. This article also addresses media and ethical issues regarding the centers' operations. NEWPIN attempts to cultivate "ethical" journalists who will be balanced, fair, and objective in reporting on the centers, as well as sensitive to issues of confidentiality and privacy. Training in media issues and public speaking is provided for both staff and parents who choose to interact with media representatives. Achieving a balance between the interests of participants in telling their stories, the interests of the media, and the interests of the agency in promoting child protection issues is often difficult. NEWPIN's experience is that the participants in that process must engage in honest and conscientious examination of the issues as they arise rather than adopt an inflexible posture for all situations. 29 references