NCJ Number
124824
Date Published
1989
Length
101 pages
Annotation
This analysis of child abuse in Massachusetts emphasizes the need to focus on prevention and presents strategies that are designed for use in six sectors of society and that provide both generalized primary prevention initiatives and initiatives targeted at high-risk groups.
Abstract
The sectors are the community, the education system, health care, the legal system, the social service system, and the workplace. The strategies rest on the view that child maltreatment results from cultural factors, social factors, family factors, and child factors. Thus, no single policy or program will be sufficient to prevent abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse of children. The five priority areas for action should include changing attitudes and beliefs, meeting basic family needs, changing institutional responses to families, supporting parents in their caretaking roles, and teaching and supporting children. To carry out these strategies the State legislature should establish a statewide prevention board and enact a Children's Trust Fund law to provide continuous funding and promote public-private partnerships. In addition, a major media campaign focusing on the needs of children and families should be initiated. Figure and appended list of endnotes and sources.