NCJ Number
128998
Date Published
1989
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This five-part essay argues for a humanistic approach rather than a merely penal approach toward the problems of child abuse and abuse of the elderly and suggests police reforms to aid the Italian police in responding to cases of abuse.
Abstract
The analysis considers possible psychological motivations for abuse and emphasizes the need for governmental and other organizations to raise public awareness of the problem. The discussion also applies Freud's biopsychological theory of stages to show how the lack of physical autonomy makes both children and elderly adults especially vulnerable to abuse. Various forms of abuse toward children and old people are described with emphasis on the particular vulnerability of homeless young and old people in Italy. An analysis of the need for reform in the Italian police force emphasizes the need for training in identifying and intervening effectively in abuse cases and in cooperating with social service agencies. Charts and photographs