NCJ Number
57644
Date Published
1977
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THREE BRITISH CHILD ABUSE CASE STUDIES REVEAL MANY OF THE DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS FACING THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR AIDING TROUBLED FAMILIES AND PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM ABUSE.
Abstract
CHILD ABUSE RAISES COMPLEX QUESTIONS BEARING ON THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS AND CHILDREN AND ON THE ABILITIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROFESSIONALS TO RESPOND. FOR EXAMPLE, IF IT COULD BE PREDICATED THAT MARY'S MOTHER (IN THE FIRST CASE) WOULD ABUSE HER, THEN SHOULD THIS MOTHER BE DENIED THE RIGHT TO CARE FOR HER CHILDREN? THE MOTHER, WHO HAD BEEN REJECTED, ABUSED, AND POSSIBLY BATTERED BY HER OWN MOTHER WAS DOING THE SAME THING TO MARY AND WOULD MOST LIKELY TREAT THE BABY SHE WAS EXPECTING THE SAME WAY. SINCE THE MOTHER HAD REJECTED ALL OFFERS OF HELP, THE QUESTION BECOMES ONE OF WHETHER SOCIETY CAN ALLOW HER CHILDREN TO BE ENTRUSTED TO HER CARE. THE SECOND CASE STUDY SHOWS THAT MANY PROFESSIONALS FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT PARENTS ABUSE THEIR CHILDREN, EVEN THOUGH THE CHILD CONTINUALLY RECEIVES NONACCIDENTIAL INJURIES. IN THIS CASE, THE SOCIAL WORKER INCORRECTLY SIDED WITH THE PARENTS AND DENIED THE POTENTIAL FOR ABUSE EXISTING WITHIN THE FAMILY. THE THIRD CASE RAISES THE QUESTION OF WHAT RIGHTS CHILDREN HAVE IN DECIDING WITH WHOM THEY SHOULD LIVE. EVEN THOUGH THE MOTHER HABITUALLY ABUSED HER CHILDREN, THEY ASKED TO REMAIN WITH HER. WHAT SHOULD THE ROLE OF PROFESSIONALS BE IN PERSUADING THE CHILDREN THAT IT IS BEST FOR THEM TO BE REMOVED FROM THEIR PARENTS? THESE CASE STUDIES SHOWED A STRIKING LACK OF COORDINATION AMONG THE EFFORTS OF MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE, AND THE COURTS. IF THE PROBLEM OF CHILD ABUSE IS TO BE ADDRESSED, THEN SOCIETY MUST DETERMINE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR BALANCING THE NEED TO PROTECT CHILDREN WITH THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO CARE FOR THEM. CURRENT PROCEDURES NEED TO BE REEXAMINED IN LIGHT OF THE POINTS RAISED IN THESE CASES. (KCP)