NCJ Number
55473
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE LACK OF STATISTICS ON CHILD ABUSE IN CANADA, THE PROBLEMS WHICH HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN PUNISHMENT AND TREATMENT, THE COMPETING RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN, AND COMPLICATING FACTORS IN ABUSE CASES ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
STATISTICS ON CHILD ABUSE ARE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN IN CANADA BECAUSE THERE IS NO UNIFORM DEFINITION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NO UNIFORM REPORTING SYSTEM. ALSO, SEVERAL PROVINCES FAIL TO EXTEND THE AGE OF PROTECTION INTO THE ADOLESCENT YEARS. THE PROBLEM OF THE ADOLESCENT IS JUST AS CRITICAL AS THAT OF THE YOUNG CHILD, BUT IS NOT RECEIVING ATTENTION. A SECOND PROBLEM IN CANADA IS THE PROFESSIONAL DISAGREEMENT CONCERNING THE PROPER HANDLING OF CHILD ABUSE CASES. THE USE OF DETERRENT SENTENCING HAS STRONG SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ADULT IS DANGEROUS TO SOCIETY AT LARGE AS WELL AS TO THE CHILD. TREATMENT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS WHO ARE NOT CONSIDERED DANGEROUS EITHER TO THE COMMUNITY OR TO THEIR CHILDREN. TREATMENT MAY INVOLVE COUNSELING, IMPROVED HOUSING, FINDING EMPLOYMENT, AND PROVIDING DAY CARE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES TO RELIEVE FAMILY STRESS. TWO DANGERS ARE SEEN IN THE TREATMENT APPROACH: (1) PROFESSIONALS MAY RELY ON TOO NARROW A CONCEPTUAL BASE AND NOT CONSIDER BROADER SOCIAL PROGRAMS WHICH COULD AID THE FAMILY AND (2) TOO MUCH TIME MAY BE SPENT DESIGNING PROGRAMS THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT WILLING TO FUND. THE PARENTS' RIGHTS TO DISCIPLINE THE CHILD AND MAINTAIN THE HOME ARE CONTRASTED WITH THE CHILD'S RIGHT TO GROW UP FREE FROM FEAR. COMMISSION STATEMENTS ON THESE RIGHTS ARE INCLUDED. COMPLICATING FACTORS IN CHILD ABUSE CASES ARE INTERPROFESSIONAL JEALOUSIES, LACK OF COORDINATION, THE GENERAL ACCEPTANCE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SOCIETY, AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF WORKING WITH ABUSIVE PARENTS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)