NCJ Number
60751
Journal
CRIME PREVENTION REVIEW Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 11-17
Date Published
1979
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A MULTIDISCIPLINARY CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT TREATMENT PROGRAM AT THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF LOS ANGELES IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE PROGRAM WAS FORMALLY ESTABLISHED IN 1974 WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH TO PROVIDE LONGITUDINAL DATA ON ABUSED CHILDREN. THE HOSPITAL IDENTIFIES ABOUT 350 CHILDREN ANNUALLY WHO ARE DIAGNOSED AS HAVING SUFFERED PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF INFLICTED TRAUMA, NEGLECT, OR ENDANGERING ENVIRONMENTS. ONLY A PORTION OF THESE CHILDREN CAN BE FOLLOWED AT THE HOSPITAL FOR CONTINUOUS SERVICES, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE HOSPITAL'S LARGE CATCHMENT AREA. ONE OF THE BASIC ASSUMPTIONS OF THE PROGRAM IS THAT ANY CHILD DIAGNOSED AS A VICTIM OF INFLICTED TRAUMA OR DEPRIVATION SHOULD BE PLACED UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE JUVENILE COURT. IT IS RECOGNIZED THAT SOME FAMILIES WILL PARTICIPATE IN TREATMENT PROGRAMS WITHOUT POLICE AND COURT INTERVENTION, BUT PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE INDICATES THAT RELIABLY DIFFERENTIATING PROBABLE COMPLIERS FROM NONCOMPLIERS IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. CASE FINDING USUALLY BEGINS IN THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM WHEN A CHILD IS BROUGHT FOR THE TREATMENT OF SOME INJURY. WHEN CHILD ABUSE IS SUSPECTED, THE PEDIATRIC TRAUMA COORDINATOR EXAMINES THE CHILD, REVIEWS FINDINGS OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN, AND MAKES A FINAL DETERMINATION OF INFLICTED VERSUS ACCIDENTAL TRAUMA. ONCE THE DIAGNOSIS OF INFLICTED TRAUMA IS MADE, PARENTS ARE INFORMED AND TOLD THAT THE DIAGNOSIS MUST BE REPORTED TO THE POLICE AS A MATTER OF LAW. ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL TO INTERVIEW PARENTS. PARENTS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TREATMENT PROGRAM OFFERED BY THE HOSPITAL. TREATMENT IS BASED ON A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM ESTIMATE OF LIKELY SOURCES OF RISK TO THE CHILD IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT AND NOT ON PARENTAL ADMISSIONS OF GUILT. IT INCLUDES SUCH COMPONENTS AS INDIVIDUAL OR COUPLE COUNSELING, GROUP THERAPY (PARENTS AND CHILDREN SEPARATELY), A CHILD MANAGEMENT GROUP (PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER), A PARENT AIDE, AND PEDIATRIC CARE. THE PROGRAM RARELY RECOMMENDS THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF ABUSIVE PARENTS. LEVERAGE GAINED BY SENTENCES OF PROBATION, HOWEVER, CAN BE USED AS LONG AS A REQUIREMENT FOR COUNSELING IS STIPULATED. CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH PLACEMENT OF THE CHILD IS RECOMMENDED ARE NOTED. (DEP)