NCJ Number
17718
Journal
Chicago-Kent Law Review Volume: 50 Issue: 1 Dated: (SUMMER 1973) Pages: 45-84
Date Published
1973
Length
40 pages
Annotation
AN EXPLORATION OF THE MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROBLEMS OF CHILD ABUSE WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION DIRECTED TOWARDS THE PROBLEMS FACED BY THE ATTORNEY INVOLVED IN PROCEEDINGS CONCERNING CHILD ABUSE.
Abstract
A DESCRIPTION OF THE USUAL BATTERED CHILD SYMPTOMS AND THE EFFECTS SUCH ABUSE MAY HAVE ON THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT IS FIRST PROVIDED. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILD ABUSER AND THE PSYCHOLOGY OF THE CHILD ABUSER ARE ALSO REVIEWED. THE LEGAL HISTORY OF CHILD ABUSE IS TRACED FROM EARLY CIVILIZATIONS TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY RULINGS ON TREATMENT OF CHILDREN. EARLY ILLINOIS JUVENILE LAW AND THE ILLINOIS JUVENILE COURT AND JUVENILE COURT ACT ARE DESCRIBED AS WELL. THE AUTHORS NOTE THAT MOST STATES NOW HAVE MANDATORY BATTERED CHILD REPORTING LAWS WHICH REQUIRE PHYSICIANS TO REPORT ANY SUSPECTED INCIDENTS OF CHILD ABUSE. THE PROVISIONS OF THE ILLINOIS BATTERED CHILD LAW ARE REVIEWED, AND THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF REPORTING STATUTES ARE DISCUSSED. OTHER AREAS DISCUSSED IN THIS ARTICLE INCLUDE THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ILLINOIS CHILD ABUSE LAW, PRACTICAL PROBLEMS IN LITIGATING CHILD ABUSE CASES, EVIDENTIARY ASPECTS OF THE CHILD ABUSE CASE, AND PREPARATION OF WITNESSES SUCH AS THE PHYSICIAN AND THE SOCIAL WORKER IN CHILD ABUSE PROCEEDINGS. RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, AND A BILL OF RIGHTS FOR CHILDREN ARE ALSO INCLUDED.