SEVERLY ILL-TREATED YOUNG-CHILDREN IN NORTH-EAST WILTSHIRE

• NCJ Number: 29161
• Author(s): J E OLIVER; J COX; A TAYLOR; J A BALDWIN
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 83 pages
• Corporate Author: Oxford University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

RESULTS OF A STUDY UNDERTAKEN TO IDENTIFY ALL CASES OF SEVERE CHILD ABUSE OCCURRING IN THE NORTH-EAST WILTSHIRE AREA FROM 1965 TO 1973, AND TO IDENTIFY THE DEMOGRAPHIC AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSING FAMILIES.

Abstract

THE AUTHORS FIRST ASCERTAINED THE NUMBER OF YOUNG CHILDREN (UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE) FULFILLING THE SEVERE ABUSE CRITERIA. AN IN-DEPTH INVESTIGATION IS THEN PRESENTED OF THE CHILD ABUSIVE FAMILIES IDENTIFIED BY THE AUTHORS. A TOTAL OF 34 FAMILIES WITH 38 SEVERELY ABUSED YOUNG CHILDREN HAD BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR THE YEARS 1965-1971. SUCH FACTORS AS THE RATE OF SEVERE ABUSE, CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ABUSED CHILDREN, TYPES OF INJURIES REPORTED, DURATION OF SEVERE ABUSE, AND RESULTS OF SEVERE ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED FOR THESE 34 FAMILIES. THE AUTHORS THEN EXAMINE THE STRUCTURES AND FEATURES OF THE 34 FAMILIES, INCLUDING MARITAL STATUS OF PARENTS, PLACE OF BIRTH OF PARENTS, PATENTAL OCCUPATION, PLACE OF RESIDENCE, AND SIBLING STRUCTURE. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ABUSIVE PARENTAL BEHAVIOR ARE ALSO OUTLINED. FINALLY, THE AUTHORS PROVIDE A GENERAL DISCUSSION ON THE EXTENT OF CHILD ABUSE, THE PROBLEM OF DETERMINING CASES OF CHILD ABUSE, AND THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION.