NCJ Number
48972
Date Published
1975
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER CONSIDERS THE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS OF PHYSICIANS, SOCIAL WORKERS, AND POLICE REGARDING THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CHILD ABUSE IN GREAT BRITAIN.
Abstract
PHYSICIANS' EDUCATIONAL SHORTCOMINGS ARE IN THE AREAS OF TREATMENT AND PREVENTION. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECOGNITION AND IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT OF THE NONACCIDENTAL INJURY FOR PROPER TREATMENT OF THE ABUSED CHILD IS NEEDED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SUCH KNOWLEDGE BE PART OF ROUTINE UNDERGRADUATE, PROFESSIONAL, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION. THE TEAM MANAGEMENT ASPECT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN MEDICAL, SOCIAL, AND POLICE SERVICES SHOULD BE HANDLED BY A DESIGNATED CONSULTANT, BUT SPECIALIZED MEDICAL PERSONNEL SHOULD BE KEPT ABREAST OF ANY PLANS. THREE LEVELS OF PREVENTION ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING PREVENTION OF THE ENTIRE SYNDROME BY TRYING TO FOSTER A CLOSE MOTHER-INFANT BOND AT BIRTH. THE SOCIAL WORKER'S EDUCATIONAL NEEDS LIE IN UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF LOCAL AUTHORITY, THE PROVISIONS OF LAW, AND SOME OF THE APPARENT AMBIVALENCE BETWEEN THE TWO. IN ADDITION TO UNDERSTANDING PARENTAL MOTIVATION AND THE CHILD'S BEST INTERESTS, THE SOCIAL WORKER SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF COURT PROCEDURES AND WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES OBTAIN WHAT KIND OF ORDER OR ACTION IN THE ADULT COURTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THESE PRACTICALITIES BE OFFERED IN LECTURES GIVEN BY THE LOCAL CLERK OF THE JUVENILE COURT. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE EDUCATION BE CONDUCTED IN THREE STAGES, EACH OF WHICH ARE DETAILED HERE. IN ADDITION TO TRADITIONAL POLICE TRAINING AREAS, THERE SHOULD BE SPECIAL TRAINING IN NONACCIDENTAL INJURY TO CHILDREN. ALTHOUGH SOME SENIOR OFFICERS MAY HAVE THIS TRAINING, IT IS THE YOUNG OFFICER ON PATROL WHO IS OFTEN FIRST ON THE SCENE IN SUCH INCIDENCES AND IS IN A FAVORABLE POSITION TO DETECT THE SYNDROME EARLY IN ITS DEVELOPMENTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SENIOR OFFICERS BE KEPT CURRENTLY INFORMED OF MEDICAL AND SOCIAL VIEWS BY CLOSE PERSONAL CONTACT RATHER THAN BY CIRCULARS. (RBS)