Child Abuse Cases Research Articles

Hidden Violence: How COVID-19 School Closures Reduced the Reporting of Child Maltreatment

This study examines how school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic affected the reporting of child maltreatment in Mexico City. We use a rich panel dataset on incident-level crime reports and victim characteristics and exploit the differential effects between school-age children and older individuals. While financial and mental distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic may result in additional cases of child maltreatment, synthetic control and difference-in-differences estimations document an average reduction in child maltreatment reports of 29% and 30%, respectively, with larger reductions among females and in higher-poverty municipalities. These results highlight the important role education professionals in school settings play in the early detection and reporting of domestic violence against school-age children.

Gendered judicial discourse in the sentencing of sexual offenders: a new explanatory model

ABSTRACT Sentencing that favours female sexual offenders (FSOs) over male sexual offenders (MSOs) has negative consequences for victims, offenders and the community. There have been calls to utilise qualitative methods to provide a richer understanding of why these disparities exist. As such, this study aimed to examine whether perpetrator gender influenced judges’ sentencing discourse of convicted sexual offenders. Using a systematic matching process, sentencing remarks for sexual perpetrators (n = 9 MSOs and n = 9 FSOs) sentenced in Queensland between 2012 and 2019 were thematically analysed. Three main themes and two sub-themes emerged: (1) gendered discourse about sexual offenders are predicated on crime severity (sub-themes included reduced culpability of non-assaultive FSOs compared with non-assaultive MSOs and the villainisation of violent FSOs compared with violent MSOs); (2) gender differences in offender contrition; and (3) judges’ emphasis on parental abuse of trust, rather than a gendered responsibility, in child abuse cases. An explanatory model was developed to explicate the findings using cognitive dissonance, social role and sexual script theories. The model advances current conceptualisation of this phenomenon, thereby addressing limitations of previous theories.

Homicidal child sexual abuse: Identifying the combinations of factors predicting a lethal outcome

BackgroundResearch on sexual homicide of child victims is scarce. Studies focusing on the lethal outcome in sexual crimes involving adult victims suggest that those offenders who end up killing their victims present both specific individual and crimecommission process characteristics. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that findings with adult victims may not adequately explain the lethal outcome in sexual crimes of children. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify specific combination of offenders, victims and crime-commission process factors associated with a lethal outcome in child sexual abuse. Participants: This study compares and analyzes the characteristics of 646 cases of extrafamilial child abuses with 136 cases of sexual homicide involving children. MethodsBivariate analyses and sequential binomial regression analyses were conducted to identify variables associated with crime outcome. Finally, conjunctive analyses were used to identify combinations of factors that are the most likely associated with the lethal outcome. Results: Results indicate that both offenders and crime-commission process characteristics are strongly associated with sexual homicides of children. ConclusionsOffenders who sexually murder children are extremely instrumental and opportunistic. They are also more likely to have a life history characterized by the manifestation of diverse antisocial conducts. The findings of this study provide important theoretical and practical implications for crime investigations, prevention, and offenders' management.

Public perceptions of child maltreatment: A national convenience sample

• Study explores public’s knowledge and perception of child maltreatment. • The study is based on national sample using an online crowd sourcing platform. • Results show society believes social programs can impact child maltreatment. • Respondents were knowledgeable about child maltreatment laws and policies. • Barriers were identified in the reporting of child maltreatment. The public view of the social problem of child abuse and neglect plays a key role in determining individuals’ willingness to report cases of child maltreatment. The present study focuses on examining current public knowledge and opinions on child maltreatment reporting. Our research also explores the factors that the public find most important in affecting and preventing child maltreatment. A public opinion survey of a diverse population of Americans regarding their knowledge, understanding, and perspectives about child maltreatment and the best methods to address this social problem. Participants and methods: The study included a convenience sample of 1080 respondents from across the United States. Surveys were administered using an online crowdsourcing platform. The public demonstrated they were generally well-informed about many aspects of child maltreatment, yet they have many concerns about reporting child maltreatment. It was evident that society believes social programs can impact child maltreatment; a majority of the sample indicated that child maltreatment can be prevented and would be in favor of making a tax donation toward child abuse prevention. The results showpublic support for more services as an opportunity to take preventative action against child abuse.

Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process to Solve the Child Abuse Problem

Children always bring so much joy, happiness and laughter to one’s life. Unfortunately, they were al ways being the target to abuse. The effects of child abuse are severe and long - lasting to the victims. While recently Malaysia statistic has reported a sign ificant increment of child abuse cases that have reported in this country. The graph presents a steady growth of these cases without showing any sign of decrement. The victim is only a child, who is innocent, powerless, and incapable to protect themselves without any help, care and support from people around themselves. Hence, this stud y purposed to determine the main factors that contribute to child abuse cases in Malaysia. In this study, FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Pr ocess) are used to determine the ma in factors that contribute to the child abuse cases in Malaysia. The data was collected from the official portal of the Department of Social Welfare, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. The factors used in this study are family dispute, fo llowed boyfriend, unknown, financial problem, negligence of parents or guardian, illegitimate child, stepchild, adopted child or preserved by others during childhood, alcoholic, gambler, drug addicts, abuser suffered mental health problems, abuser was form erly abused and others. Three criteria consist of perpetrators, type of carer occupations and gender of the victim are taken into consideration. The result shows the family dispute was determined as the main factors of child abuse compared to the other fac tors. This finding is very important for the use of the M inistry of W omen, F amily and C ommunity D evelopment responsible for the formulation of policies and guidelines on the development of children, women and families in Malaysia. This effort is expected to reduce the rate of child abuse in turn giving them a better life.

Introduction to the special issue. Answering questions raised by a well‐known Italian collective child abuse case

Introduction to the special issue. Answering questions raised by a well‐known Italian collective child abuse case

Contradictions and Their Consequences: How Competing Policy Mandates Facilitate Use of a Punitive Framework in Domestic Violence-Child Maltreatment Cases.

Research shows child welfare cases involving caregiver domestic violence (DV) continue to produce punitive consequences for non-abusive adult victims. This occurs despite the adoption of a supportive policy framework that emphasizes perpetrator responsibility for DV-related harm to children. Risk assessment procedures have been implicated in punitive outcomes, but we know little about how they shape child welfare workers' decision-making practice. Focusing on a state with a supportive policy framework, this paper uses grounded theory to examine how policy contradictions, procedural directives around risk assessment, and informal interventions produce punitive consequences for adult victims of DV and unmitigated risk to children. Data include state policy and procedural documents and interviews with child welfare workers describing decision-making in their most recent completed case and most recent case involving DV. Findings point to the need for active alignment of policies and procedures, greater integration of knowledge across practice areas, renewed commitments to differential response, and greater inclusion of DV specialists in child welfare settings.

‘Send Me Some Pics’: Performing the Offender Identity in Online Undercover Child Abuse Investigations

Abstract This article presents a case study examining the performance of the offender identity in online child sexual abuse interactions between genuine suspected offenders and an undercover officer posing as an offender. Using a linguistic framework known as move analysis, the study describes and compares interactants' use of rhetorical moves, as well as move frequencies and structures. Similarities and differences in the performance of offenderness between suspected offenders and the undercover police officer are discussed. Interactions are characterised by a high level of rapport-building, sharing stories, and exchanging support. While the undercover officer largely emulates the moves of suspected offenders, key discrepancies include his comparative reluctance to engage in abuse-related story-telling and an increased tendency to inquire about abusive images. This work highlights possible target areas for police training in the task of online identity assumption in online child abuse cases.

Cardiac Ventricle Laceration in a Battered Child: A Case Report

Cardiac laceration in child abuse cases is uncommon. Very few case studies are available illustrating theleft ventricular rupture following blunt chest injuries. This article presents a case of sudden death of a twoand a half year-old female child brought with history of fall on level ground while playing. The autopsyrevealed multiple types of injuries over the whole body with duration varying from less than a day to morethan 6 months old. Left ventricular rupture and liver laceration were the primary injuries contributing todeath. Child abuse cases should never be examined with a preconception of finding the classical features ofintracranial hematomas.

Effectiveness of laws and policies governing permissive parenting in pursuit of the reduction of severe child abuse in Germany

Abstract Laws and policies governing permissive parenting in Germany including provisional withdrawal of parental custody coupled with children taken preventively into custody (Inobhutnahme) by the German Youth Welfare Offices (Jugendamt) seem to uncover cases of severe child abuse in Germany from the dark into the light field but may not actually have a significant effect on controlling and decreasing such cases. In the year 2000, the German government enforced a series of prohibitive laws in Germany’s civil and social codes to preventively protect children from violence. The costs for processes including continuous monitoring of parental compliance to these laws reached 12.6 billion EUR in the year 2018 with an increase of 146% since 2001. The number of withdrawals of parental custody rose by 65% to approximately 11,000 cases in the same period. The number of children taken preventively into custody due to suspected child maltreatment, abuse or neglect increased by 29% to 40,379 cases in the year 2018. However, the actual number of cases of severe child abuse in Germany did not decline as anticipated, but rose by 39%, close to 3,500 reported cases in the year 2018. The European Parliament issued a resolution highlighting the large number of petitions received regarding the role of the German Youth Welfare Office involved in alleged discrimination. Parents in Germany may be unduly criminalized by preventive intervention in basic parenting rights. From an ethical and legal point of view, the German government may wish to revise the current legislation in the various codes so parents regain freedom to individually chose the most suitable parenting style similar to the Canadian model with proven outcomes regarding maintenance of child wellbeing, prohibition of severe child abuse and effectiveness of reducing family violence.

Child diurnal cortisol differs based on profiles of maternal emotion socialization in high risk, low income, and racially diverse families.

Young children's physiological and emotional regulation depend on supportive caregiving, especially in the context of stress and adversity. Experiences of child maltreatment become biologically embedded by shaping stress physiology. Maternal emotion socialization may have an important influence on children's limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) functioning. Grounded in theories of caregiver emotion socialization, a person-centered latent profile analysis was utilized to identify profiles of maternal emotion socialization among a high risk, low income, and racially diverse group of 248 mothers and their young children (Mage =4.39years, SD=1.10). The majority of the mothers (n=165) had a history of involvement with the Department of Child Services for substantiated cases of child maltreatment. A latent profile analysis was conducted revealing three emotion socialization profiles: disengaged, engaged, and engaged+supportive. Emotion socialization profile differences in children's diurnal cortisol levels and slope (using area under the curve with respect to ground and increase, respectively) were examined. Children's diurnal cortisol levels were higher, and slopes were flatter, when mothers used more disengaged emotion socialization strategies. Mothers who neglected their children were more likely to fit the disengaged profile than the engaged profile. Implications for the socialization of regulation in children exposed to adversity are discussed.

Difficulties faced by public health nurses involved in prevention of child abuse

Aims：Child abuse is an important global issue. Public Health Nurses（PHNs）play a vital role in supporting children and their families to prevent child abuse. Considering the complex nature of child abuse, PHNs are likely to encounter various difficulties and supporting them is necessary. This study aimed to identify factors influencing the difficulties faced by PHNs in prevention of child abuse, and to understand the relationship between the PHN’s personal attributes and the difficulties faced. Method：A cross-sectional survey design was used in which ２５０ PHNs involved in prevention of child abuse participated. They were from public health centers and municipalities all over Japan. Data collected were analyzed using exploratory factor analysis. Results：Six factors on the difficulties that PHNs faced were extracted and identified as：“support of parents and their families facing problems,” “process of assessing the problem and linking to support,” “cooperation with relevant organizations,” “ability as a PHN to provide support,” “collaboration within the workplace,” and “support for abused children.” These difficulties were related to the PHNs’ number of years of experience, their current work position, training on abuse, and the number of child abuse cases they encountered. Conclusion：PHNs encounter various difficulties in the process of handling child abuse cases, but not all of them experience these difficulties in the same way. The results suggest that it is essential to focus on the nature of these difficulties depending on the personal characteristics of PHNs in order to provide effective support.

The Enhanced Resource Guidelines: A Blueprint For Improving Court Practice In Child Welfare Cases

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (“NCJFCJ”) provides training and technical assistance to juvenile and family courts across the country. Since 1995, the NCJFCJ has worked to improve the lives of children and families in child abuse and neglect cases with the Model Courts and Implementation Sites projects using the Enhanced Resource Guidelines as a foundation. This article describes the history and evolution of the Enhanced Resource Guidelines, identifies key principles and practices implemented by demonstration sites, shares lessons learned from judges leading reform efforts, and highlights preliminary results from research and evaluation efforts. Research has indicated that implementation of the Enhanced Resource Guidelines is associated with increased judicial continuity throughout the case, increased engagement of families during hearings, decreased time to permanency, and fewer out of home placements for children. Judicial leaders can make improvements on and off the bench by improving the quality of their hearings and practice as recommended in the Enhanced Resource Guidelines.

Child Presentation on Mainstream News Channels and Wellbeing of Victims

Child abuse is one of those issues of society that is very difficult to talk about because it creates a sense of shame and guilt and so on but due to avoiding an open debate about it the spiral of silence is increasing over time. This research study aims at examining the way child abuse cases like Zainab case has been portrayed on news channels and the impact it leaves on the minds of victims. The researcher analyzed the BOL news channel, especially their news bulletins and headlines. The quantitative research methodology was used. Survey method was employed, 100 questionnaires were distributed among students of UMT. Cultivation theory has been used in order to draw the theoretical framework of this study. Findings suggested that the irresponsible role of media in this specific issue might cause great stress and other psychological disorders among the victim and their families.

Knowledge of Child Abuse among Trainee Teachers and Teachers in Service in Spain

The role that schools play in the detection of and intervention into child abuse is fundamental. This study investigates and compares knowledge of child abuse among trainee teachers and in-service teachers in Spain. To this end, a total of 224 teachers (144 teachers in training and 80 teachers in service) working in Early Childhood Education and Primary Education participated in this study, using self-developed scales (Scale of knowledge of child abuse, Scale of action against child abuse, Scale of aspects for improvement in child abuse). The results indicate that there are no significant differences between trainees and teachers in the previous training and in the level of knowledge and action in relation to child abuse. However, significant differences were found in the cases detected and intervened in, with a greater number of teachers in service having detected and acted on cases of child abuse. In regard to the interest in improving the way that child abuse is dealt with, teachers in training obtained a higher average score. In conclusion, we note that the relationship between knowledge about child abuse, action taken and the aspects for improvement is significant and positive, so if a teacher has more knowledge about child abuse, he or she will also know how to act better and will have greater interest in implementing improvement measures.

Kindeswohlgef\xe4hrdung \u2013 Ausweitung des Hellfeldes durch Neukonzeption der klinischen Kinderschutzarbeit

ZusammenfassungHintergrundDas Erkennen von Kindesmisshandlungen und der Umgang damit sind Herausforderungen im ärztlichen Alltag. Die Dunkelziffer bei Misshandlungen und Vernachlässigungen ist hoch.Ziel der ArbeitDas Ziel der Arbeit war, die Effektivität des neu strukturierten Kinderschutzprogrammes einer großen deutschen Kinderklinik zu untersuchen und durch die Präsentation der Vorteile der neuen Struktur die Verbesserung von Programmen für Kinder und Mediziner in anderen Kliniken anzuregen.MethodeEs wurden retrospektiv alle Kinderschutzfälle im Altonaer Kinderkrankenhaus vor und nach Neukonzeption der Kinderschutzarbeit über einen Zeitraum von jeweils 2 Jahren untersucht und miteinander verglichen. Die Kinderschutzgruppe war neu strukturiert worden und wurde nachfolgend von einer hauptamtlichen Kinderschutzkoordinatorin geleitet.ErgebnisDie Prävalenz der Verdachtsfälle und der erhärteten Fälle von Kindeswohlgefährdung ist im Untersuchungszeitraum nach Neukonzeption hoch signifikant erhöht. Im Zeitraum vor der Neukonzeption wurden 24 Fälle mit dem Verdacht auf Kindswohlgefährdung untersucht, 23 erhärtet, danach 124 Fälle untersucht, 89 erhärtet. Eine Stigmatisierung der Familien bei der Abklärung wurde trotz des signifikanten Anstiegs falsch-positiver Verdachtsfälle durch sensibles Vorgehen und eine Konfrontation erst bei Erhärtung des Verdachtes vermieden.SchlussfolgerungDas vorgestellte Konzept zum medizinischen Kinderschutz in Kinderkliniken scheint das Hellfeld bei Kindeswohlgefährdung effektiv auszuweiten. Sowohl die Reduktion nichtdetektierter Fälle mit der Verhinderung potenzieller Eskalation mit prolongiertem Leidensweg als auch die Verminderung der immensen gesellschaftlichen Folgekosten rechtfertigen die personellen Investitionen.

Child welfare in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic—Emerging evidence from Germany

BackgroundThe coronavirus pandemic has had a major impact on the situation and well-being of children and their families, while simultaneously affecting the ability of welfare services for children and youth to support vulnerable families. As measures of contact restrictions were introduced to contain the virus, and schools and childcare facilities closed, the potential risk to child welfare could hardly be overlooked. ObjectivesFocusing on Germany, this article aims to explore some of the effects of the COVID-19 measures on children and families. Furthermore, it examines a number of key challenges for child protection practitioners. These include identifying potential cases of child maltreatment without the support normally provided by teachers and child carers; and establishing and maintaining contact with clients under physical distancing rules. MethodsThe article is based on a review of German and English language scientific and journalistic articles, position papers from professional associations and other gray literature. It benefits from recently published (interim) results of empirical studies conducted in Germany, which explore child welfare issues in the pandemic. ConclusionUnder COVID-19, the child welfare system faces unprecedented challenges and uncertainty (e.g. (partial) loss of cooperation opportunities with key partners) whilst showing signs of remarkable resilience (e.g. child protection workers’ ability to adjust to new conditions). While the potential of digitalising work processes in child protection has become apparent in the pandemic, the proven continuous face-to-face contact between practitioners and their clients is neither dispensable nor replaceable.

Does A Parent's Right to Parenting Matter in Termination of Parental Rights? An Analysis of Court Cases

The right to parenting refers to the biological parent's right to make decisions about the care and wellbeing of the child and is considered a fundamental constitutional right. But if the child faces imminent risk of harm, this right can be revoked. This study examines the right to parenting in child maltreatment cases where parental rights were terminated and the way this right was balanced against other rights and interests of the child and parents. Drawing on a sample of 212 court cases, the study found that the right to parenting was discussed by the courts only in a quarter of the cases. It was also found that the right to parenting was referenced more often in less severe cases than in more severe cases. This paper discusses legal marginalization as reflective of the social marginalization of families involved in the child welfare system and the importance of a deliberate consideration of the right to parenting in every individual case from a legal as well as therapeutic perspective. It suggests that when professionals neglect parental rights they may also fail to provide parents with a full chance to participate in services that could help them improve their parenting skills and be reunified with their children.

COVID ‐19 pandemic! It's impact on people, economy, and environment

The paper reviews the (a) existing knowledge on corona virus disease (b) policy responses to it, and (c) its impact on the people, economic activities, and environment of India. The pandemic has increased a sense of fear and insecurity among people due to probable job and pay loss. As well, the nationwide lockdown imposed by the government has increased cases of domestic violence and child abuse. The industrial sectors—tourism, aviation, agriculture, construction, retail, hotels, textile, gems/jewellery, fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, and start-ups are temporarily closed leading to a significant revenue loss. Consequently, existence of many sectors and employability of a sizable number of employees is at stake. Despite the economic slowdown, the lockdown has become a boon for the environment to revive due to less pollution and reduced discharge of effluents to water from factories. The policy formulators should consider this as wakeup call and thereby align the people, economy, and environment strategically.

28. AN APPROACH TO DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS FOR PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS: CHILD MALTREATMENT

Background Identifying and managing suspected child maltreatment is an unfortunate part of every pediatrician's job. Many pediatric trainees feel uncomfortable with multiple aspects of suspected child maltreatment cases including introducing concerns with caregivers, asking follow-up questions, documentation, requirements for mandated reporters, and available resources. Just like medical knowledge, communicating with patients and families in difficult situations is a skill that can be taught but may be lacking in the formal medical curriculum. Objectives: To teach a skill set that will increase resident comfort level in the setting of suspected child maltreatment, specifically: introducing the concern with caregivers, follow up questions, reviewing requirements as mandated reporters, and practical skills regarding physical examination and documentation. Methods A three-hour multi-modal workshop was developed for pediatric trainees at the beginning of their intern year to teach a skill set that would increase resident comfort level in the setting of suspected child maltreatment cases. Interns experienced a didactic session covering an approach to difficult conversations (SPIKES and HARD protocols) as well as practical knowledge regarding their role as mandated reporter, history taking, physical exam, and documentation. After the didactic session, residents experienced a role play session where they could practice the skills they just learned. Pre- and post- workshop surveys were obtained from trainees to evaluate both prior experience with child maltreatment cases as well as their comfort level with future child maltreatment scenarios before and after the workshop. Results A total of 28 Pediatric and Medicine/Pediatrics interns completed this workshop over the course of 3 academic years. Compared to pre-workshop data, interns felt more comfortable discussing concerns for child maltreatment with parents or caregivers (p Conclusions A three-hour multi-modal workshop improved interns’ comfort level regarding suspected child maltreatment cases including raising concerns with caregivers, communication with other team members, and documentation related to these cases. References “Practical Plans for Difficult Conversations in Medicine: Strategies That Work to Break Bad News.” Robert Buckman, MD PhD.