NCJ Number
54710
Journal
Public Welfare Volume: 36 Issue: 4 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 5-7,58-62
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THIS SERIES OF FIVE OPINION PAPERS ADDRESSES THE ISSUE OF PREVENTION VERSUS TREATMENT IN CHILD ABUSE CASES.
Abstract
THE FIRST PAPER STATES THAT THE RESOLUTION OF ANY CHILD ABUSE CASE REQUIRES THE COMPLETION OF THREE SEPARATE BUT INTERRELATED STEPS: IDENTIFICATION AND REPORTING OF A CHILD BELIEVED TO BE ABUSED; INVESTIGATION TO RESOLVE WHETHER THE CHILD HAS ACTUALLY BEEN ABUSED (DIAGNOSIS), CHANCES FOR SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT (PROGNOSIS), AND WHAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY; AND ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TREATMENT PLAN. CHILD ABUSE LEGISLATION FOCUSES ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY ON THE FIRST TWO STEPS, IDENTIFICATION AND INVESTIGATION. THE SECOND PAPER IS CONCERNED WITH ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ADEQUATE RESEARCH AND PROGRAM FUNDING TO PROVE THAT PREVENTION IS POSSIBLE AND DETERMINE WHAT PREVENTIVE APPROACHES ARE MOST SUCCESSFUL. THE THIRD PAPER DISCUSSES SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND SYMPTOMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. THE FOURTH PAPER FOCUSES ON THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH CHILD ABUSE, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO SOCIAL STRATEGIES AND PUBLIC AWARENESS. THE FINAL PAPER EXAMINES THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LEGISLATION AND THE NEED FOR COOPERATION AMONG PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE. (DEP)