NCJ Number
186932
Date Published
2001
Length
13 pages
Annotation
This chapter provides an overview of the nature and prevalence of child abuse in Russia and the response to it.
Abstract
Following a demographic profile of Russia, including the infant mortality rate, the chapter presents a brief case study that reveals the lack of an investigative or legal framework for Russian medical personnel to act on suspicions that a treated injury is due to child abuse. A review of the history of child-abuse awareness and response to it in Russia advises that child abuse has only recently been recognized as a problem in Russia, although throughout the 20th century, Russians have been aware that society has an obligation to care for children in need. Child abuse is now legally recognized in Russia and includes neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Regarding the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, the 1996 "Status of Children in the Russian Federation" identified 113,243 children who were abandoned, 34,865 children whose parents were denied their parental rights, and another 6,724 children who were separated from their parents without termination of parental rights. Of the total number of children in Russia, 0.6 percent are not living with their parents. Social factors believed to cause child abuse and neglect have not been extensively studied in Russia. A code of family and criminal law is beginning to emerge, providing a legal framework for adjudicating this problem. The management of child abuse and neglect is restricted to separation of the children from offending parents. Limited support and intervention services are provided in urban centers, but no standard system of therapy or care for victims or perpetrators has been established. 2 tables and 20 references