NCJ Number
125390
Journal
Juvenile and Family Court Journal Volume: 41 Issue: 2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 1-14
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Through a proactive, rather than a reactive, approach to child abuse, the criminal justice system could dramatically reduce the level at which child abuse will occur in the future and break the cycle of aberrant behavior that is being increasingly documented in the literature.
Abstract
Everyone involved in child abuse cases -- detective, social worker, prosecutor, judge, and juror -- needs education to overcome some of the misconceptions and stereotypes related to child abuser and abused. Some experts believe that the criminal justice system revictimizes the abused child and often releases the perpetrator. Since 1981, Alabama's children's advocacy center has implemented a multidisciplinary team approach that coordinates activities from the prosecutor's office with the police, medical, child welfare, and other related authorities. One of the principles followed by the center is vertical prosecution which allows continuity, facilitates interagency cooperation, and reduces the need for repeated interviews of the child. One community benefit resulting from this approach is that the conviction rate for abusers is very high. A successful center concept involves the participation of as many community segments as possible in order to publicize the problem; educate the public; and coordinate and improve services for prevention, intervention, and treatment. The multidisciplinary team is responsible for interagency cooperation, gathering of evidence, appropriate intervention, assistance to participating agencies, training programs, and research. The proactivity function of the center is education and prevention, consisting of video presentations and written materials for children and families in addition to educational seminars for non-professional adults. 21 notes, 16 references.