NCJ Number
48966
Date Published
1975
Length
7 pages
Annotation
RECOGNITION OF CHILD ABUSE, THE PRACTICAL DIFFICULTIES OF TREATMENT, AND THE ROLES OF THE JUVENILE COURT AND POLICE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE PAPER ATTEMPTS TO DISPEL CERTAIN MISCONCEPTIONS REGARDING CHILD ABUSE, SUCH AS ITS CONFINEMENT TO THE LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC CLASSES OR THE NOTION THAT CHILD ABUSE IS A RECENT PHENOMENON. THE MYTH THAT ALL WOMEN WANT TO BE MOTHERS IS ALSO CONTRADICTED, AS IS THE PRESUMPTION THAT ALL CHILD ABUSERS ARE PSYCHOPATHIC. THE CHILD BATTERER IS DEPICTED AS ONE WHO HAS ALSO BEEN DEPRIVED OF NURTURING AS A CHILD AND WHO HAS A LOW TOLERANCE FOR REJECTION. DIFFICULTIES ARISE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY REGARDING DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT, AND TREATMENT, INCLUDING: (1) DELAYS IN REFERRAL OF THE CHILD TO THE APPROPRIATE AUTHORITIES; (2) PROBLEMS IN COORDINATION OF MANAGEMENT FOR A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH IN TREATMENT; AND (3) BREAKDOWNS IN COMMUNICATION WHERE THERE ARE NO PROCEDURES FOR COMMUNICATING INFORMATION, WHICH RESULTS IN HAMPERING TREATMENT OR DIAGNOSIS OF ABUSE. OTHER DIFFICULTIES INCLUDE THE INADEQUACY OF COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES, RESULTING IN REBATTERING OF RETURNED CHILDREN. THE PRIMARY CONCERN OF THE JUVENILE COURTS IS SEEN AS THE WELFARE AND CONTINUED SAFETY OF THE CHILD-AT-RISK. SPECIALLY TRAINED POLICE OFFICERS TO WORK IN COORDINATION WITH REVEIW COMMITTEES AND CASE CONFERENCES ARE A NECESSARY PART OF THE POLICE FUNCTION. EFFECTIVE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION RESTS ON THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNICATION. (RBS)