NCJ Number
50506
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS TAPE FROM A CONFERENCE ON CHILD ABUSE DISCUSSES WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CHILD WHEN CASES OF ABUSE ARE NOT REPORTED.
Abstract
A REPRESENTATIVE OF UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY SPOKE ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH THE COST TO THE CHILD IF CASES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE NOT REPORTED. A MAJOR CONSEQUENCE OF NONREPORTING IS OFTEN THE PLACEMENT OF CHILDREN IN CLASSES FOR THE MENTALLY RETARDED, THE EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED, AND THE LEARNING DISABLED, A MOVE WHICH COULD HAVE SERIOUS RAMIFICATIONS FOR A CHILD NOT ORDINARILY DESTINED FOR SUCH SPECIAL EDUCATION. A PHYSICIAN FROM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCTORS, TEACHERS, AND SOCIAL WORKERS IN UNDERSTANDING CULTURALLY DETERMINED VALUES AND CHILD REARING PROCESSES COMMON TO THE TARGET COMMUNITY: SENSITIVITY TO THE PEOPLE BEING SERVED IS A PRIME REQUISITE FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION. CONSEQUENCES OF NOT REPORTING ARE UNATTENDED INJURIES AND ILLNESSES WITH ACCOMPANYING PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND COSMETIC HANDICAPS TO THE CHILD, AS WELL AS THE RISKS OF REPEATED INJURIES, INADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE, MALNUTRITION, DEVELOPMENT LAGS, AND FUNCTIONAL RETARDATION. BOTH THE SHORT AND LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES OF UNREPORTED CHILD ABUSE CASES ARE DEVASTATING IN MANY WAYS FOR THE CHILD, AND IN MANY CASES, THERE IS A RISK OF DEATH OR PERMANENT PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITY. (BAC)