NCJ Number
55474
Date Published
1974
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE PROGRAM OF THE SOCIO-THERAPEUTIC INSTITUTE, THE TRIANGEL, OF AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS, IS EXPLAINED. THIS RESIDENTIAL FACILITY DEALS WITH FAMILIES SHOWING A VARIETY OF DISTURBED SYMPTOMS INCLUDING CHILD ABUSE.
Abstract
SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES FROM ANY REGION WITHIN OR AROUND AMSTERDAM MAY REFER A FAMILY TO THE TRIANGEL. THIS PROGRAM, WHICH BEGAN JANUARY 1, 1972, TREATS THE FAMILY AS A WHOLE. THERE ARE 6 LIVING UNITS, MAXIMUM STAY FOR A FAMILY IS 6 MONTHS, AND AT ALL TIMES THE FAMILIES ARE ATTENDED BY A TEAM OF 4 GROUP WORKERS AND 1 OR 2 APPRENTICES. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF COUNSELING, THE FINDING OF NEW JOBS AND NEW HOUSING, TESTING OF THE CHILDREN, THE FINDING OF SPECIAL SCHOOLS FOR THE CHILDREN IF THIS INDICATED, AND A VARIETY OF INTENSIVE SOCIAL SERVICES. A MAJOR PART OF THE PROGRAM INVOLVES HELPING THE FAMILIES FIND NEW WAYS OF HANDLING AGGRESSION. SPECIAL EFFORTS ARE DEVOTED TO HELPING THE FAMILY FIND HOBBIES AND DEVELOP OUTSIDE CONTACTS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT ABUSE MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHEN THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY WITHDRAW FROM CONTACT WITH OTHERS. MANY OF THE FAMILIES ARE REFERRED AFTER AN INCIDENT OF CHILD ABUSE. THE TRIANGEL STAFF FEELS THAT CHILD ABUSE IS NOT A PHENOMENON BY ITSELF, BUT AN ALARMING SIGNAL OF A FAMILY IN DISTRESS. WHEN AN ABUSING FAMILY IS REFERRED, EVERY EFFORT IS MADE TO FIND ADEQUATE HOUSING, BECAUSE OVERCROWDING OFTEN LEADS TO ABUSE. UNEMPLOYMENT AND ISOLATION ALSO RECEIVE INTENSE ATTENTION. THE PROGRAM FOR DEALING WITH FAMILIES EXHIBITING CHILD ABUSE IS OUTLINED. THE ATTITUDE OF THE HELPERS IS EXAMINED. IN HOLLAND THE MEDICAL REFEREE FOR CHILD ABUSE IS THE KEY FIGURE IN SUCH CASES. IT IS URGED THAT AFTER CONSULTING HIM, PEOPLE FROM THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES INVOLVED SHOULD WORK TO HELP THE FAMILY ACCORDING TO A PLAN. THIS INTEGRATED COOPERATION SHOULD ALSO APPLY TO JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)