NCJ Number
44880
Date Published
1977
Length
176 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE, CAUSES, AND EXTENT OF CHILD MALTREATMENT ARE PRESENTED; THE BROADENING ROLE OF LAW AS A FRAMEWORK FOR THE CHILD PROTECTIVE PROCESS IS EMPHASIZED.
Abstract
AN INTRODUCTORY HISTORICAL REVIEW OF CHILD ABUSE IS FOLLOWED BY A DESCRIPTION OF THE TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT WHICH ARE INFLICTED ON CHILDREN. STATISTICAL INFORMATION IS SUPPLIED. CLINICAL AND X-RAY MANIFESTATIONS OF THE MALTREATMENT SYNDROME ARE OUTLINED ALONG WITH METHODS OF DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS TO HELP THE PROFESSIONAL CONFIRM ANY SUSPICIONS OF MALTREATMENT IN A CHILD. FURTHER CHAPTERS COVER SOCIAL MANIFESTATIONS; MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES; THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CHILD PROTECTION; A MODEL CHILD PROTECTION ACT; AND CASE REPORTS AND CASE ILLUSTRATIONS. THROUGHOUT THE TEXT, THE NEED FOR SOCIAL INVESTIGATION, DISPOSITION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, AND FOLLOWUP IS EMPHASIZED. THE AUTHORS STRESS THAT THE COMPLEX AND VARIEGATED NATURE OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PRECLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF ARRIVING AT A SINGLE SOLUTION. THE NEED FOR MASSIVE PROGRAMS ON PARENTING AND FAMILY CARE, PROGRAMS WHICH ARE STANDARDIZED IN QUALITY AND WHICH EMPHASIZE PREVENTION AND EARLY DETECTION, IS DELINEATED. THESE PROGRAMS MUST BE EFFECTIVELY DEVELOPED AND ADMINISTERED BY THE MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND SOCIAL DISCIPLINES WHICH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD WELFARE. REFERENCES AND AN INDEX ARE APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).