Alleged Child Abuse Research Articles

Effect of Domestic Violence on the Risk of Out-of-Home Placement: A Propensity Score Analysis

Increased attention is being given to domestic violence as a risk factor for out-of-home placement; however, no studies have longitudinally assessed this relationship. Further, the existing studies have yielded mixed findings, indicating a need for analyses that apply the most rigorous methods. This analysis uses data from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being to examine the rate of out-of-home placement (i.e., time to out-of-home placement following a child welfare investigation of alleged child maltreatment) across time among a sample of 1,965 children with female caregivers. Among the caregivers, 657 reported domestic violence and 1,308 did not report domestic violence. To best determine whether domestic violence contributes to greater likelihood of out-of-home placement, we use propensity score analysis to statistically mimic a randomized clinical trial by balancing both groups of caregivers based on observed characteristics. Findings indicate children whose caregivers report domestic violence enter out-of-home care 37% faster (i.e., remain in the home fewer days) than children whose caregivers did not report domestic violence. The study findings highlight the importance of screening for domestic violence and providing intensive services for families affected by domestic violence as a critical element of increasing child safety and preventing out-of-home placement.

The Pediatrician’s Role in Patient and Family Recovery after Child Abuse

CME Educational Objectives 1. Review the neuropsychological impact of child maltreatment across the life span of the victim. 2. Describe the essential role played by the pediatrician in the delivery of needed care to affected children and their families. 3. Outline evidence-based therapeutic interventions for children affected by abuse. Child abuse and neglect is a stubbornly persistent problem that affects patients in every pediatric practice, regardless of geography, socioeconomic status, culture, or race. In 2010, close to 700,000 children, or just less than 1% of all children in the United States, were victims of substantiated allegations of child maltreatment. 1

Parental nativity and the decision to substantiate: Findings from a study of Latino children in the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II)

Understanding the extent to which disparities exist at specific decision points within the child welfare system is essential to addressing disproportionality if and where it exists. Over the past decade, several studies have examined substantiation rates of alleged child maltreatment reports among the major racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. However, Latinos have typically been treated as a monolithic group with comparisons limited to children of other races due to limitations inherent to child welfare administrative data. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of Latino children who come to the attention of the child welfare system by parental nativity subgroup, and to examine the relationship of parental nativity to substantiation in the U.S. Latino child welfare population. The sample included children of Hispanic background who participated the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being (NSCAW II) for whom information regarding parental nativity was available for at least one biological parent (n = 713). In the final logistic regression model, mixed nativity families had significantly lower odds of substantiation (OR .44) when compared to U.S. born families. Odds of substantiation were significantly higher in families without a supportive secondary caregiver (OR 2.66). Allegations made by professionals (OR 6.15) and “other” report sources (OR 4.52) had significantly higher odds of substantiation when compared to reports made by caregivers, relatives, or neighbors. Each unit increase in caseworker-assessed risk to the child (OR 1.95) and sufficiency of evidence to substantiate the case (OR 3.17) increased the odds of substantiation. The lower odds of substantiation among maltreatment reports made regarding children in mixed nativity families when compared to those of U.S. born families may partly relate to the strengths observed among mixed nativity families, including a lower prevalence of material hardship and active alcohol and drug abuse. Immigrant families demonstrated some of these same strengths; however, a higher prevalence of discipline considered inappropriate or excessive was also observed within this subgroup. Implications for culturally relevant child welfare practice with diverse Latino families are discussed. ► We examine factors associated with substantiation among Latino children. ► We model families with caregivers of mixed nativity as a unique population. ► Cases involving mixed nativity parents had lower odds of substantiation. ► Cases may be substantiated differentially depending on level of caregiver support. ► Evidence plays the greatest role in substantiation among caseworker judgments.

Educator-Coach as Stranger

The recent allegations of widespread child abuse at Penn State add to the already lengthy and never ending litany of scandals and problems associated within and around intercollegiate athletics. We begin this article by briefly situating these abuses within their socio-historical context and the complex power relations of intercollegiate athletics. We surmise that the economic, social, and moral problems associated with intercollegiate athletics (including Penn State) are nothing new, although they are currently receiving greater attention and scrutiny from scholars and the media. While criticizing intercollegiate athletics consistent inability to align itself with educational values and govern its coaches is worthwhile, its constituents comprise a tiny fraction of all sporting participants. We argue that a more prudent way forward for sport, at all levels, is through coach education and increased regulation. Curiously, the preparation and regulation of coaches has been a major omission from American society. In order to rectify these concerns, we conclude that now is the time to make the educator-coach the new norm

“Sexual Hyenas” and Programs for At-Risk Youth

This essay evaluates the relationship between commercial media representations and structural inequality through the lens of the recent Penn State scandal involving child abuse allegations against former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Specifically, the research provides two central lines of inquiry: first, detailing the power structures in a profitdriven corporate culture that make systematic child predation possible in large institutions like Penn State; and second, encouraging recognition that the routines and rules adopted by the U.S. commercial media system-including episodic coverage of isolated, sensational stories-often preclude meaningful coverage of corrupt institutions or systems. In concert, the two approaches provide a two-pronged call for commercial media: to stop presenting crimes like the one at Penn State as isolated events, and instead to provide crucial connections that permit media audiences to understand how power structures shape society and foster inequality.

Child protection workers' experiences of working with high-conflict separating families

Abstract Ongoing acrimonious conflict between separating parents can challenge child protection workers charged with the responsibility of investigating repeated allegations, especially when parents vigorously deflect blame to the other parent. There remains little evidence, however to guide practice when working with high-conflict families. The aim of this grounded theory approach was to explore child protection workers' perspectives of working with high-conflict families. Four focus groups with 28 child protection workers were conducted in a large metropolitan agency. Findings revealed an overall lack of consensus regarding the definition of high-conflict families. Participants expressed being challenged by the lack of training and experience to work with disputing parents involved in high-conflict. Participants also expressed that these cases require a substantial amount of resources, time, energy and emotional fortitude to deal with competing allegations of child maltreatment, the manipulation of acrimonious parents and the pressures of the family law system to take positions regarding custody and access issues. The study offers greater awareness of the challenges and opportunities of helping children who are caught between their parents' child custody disputes within the context of child protection services.

Unexpected interference of baby wash products with a cannabinoid (THC) immunoassay

The results of newborn drug screening have far-reaching impact not only in healthcare, but also in the legal domain. Therefore, the accuracy of these results cannot be undervalued. When false positive cannabinoid (THC) screening results for this population were suspected at our institution, a multidisciplinary approach was initiated to evaluate the screening process for any pre-analytical or analytical sources of error or interference. Mixtures of drug-free urine with various commercial products and materials that commonly contact newborns in our nursery were prepared and tested using the immunoassay screening methods in our laboratory. Additional commercial products were similarly tested; and when available, individual surfactants common to the interfering products were also evaluated. Addition of Head-to-Toe Baby Wash to drug-free urine produced a dose dependent measureable response in the THC immunoassay. Addition of other commercially available baby soaps gave similar results, and subsequent testing identified specific chemical surfactants that reacted with the THC immunoassay. We have identified commonly used soap and wash products used for newborn and infant care as potential causes of false positive THC screening results. Such results in this population can lead to involvement by social services or false child abuse allegations. Given these consequences, it is important for laboratories and providers to be aware of this potential source for false positive screening results and to consider confirmation before initiating interventions. Most importantly, we demonstrate the need for active involvement in the "total testing process," as sources of error are not confined to the laboratory walls.

An examination of police officers' notes of interviews with alleged child abuse victims

An examination of police officers' notes of interviews with alleged child abuse victims

Pathways from social support to service use among caregivers at risk of child maltreatment

Abstract The purpose of this study was to test pathways from social support to service use among caregivers at risk of child maltreatment, which involved four mediating variables-family functioning, psychosomatic problems, child maltreatment allegation, and perceived needs. I used a subsample of data (n = 1000) of Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN). The model fitted the data well and supported some of the hypothesized pathways. The effect of social support on service use was mediated by family functioning and psychosomatic symptoms, which in turn was associated with caregivers' perceived needs for outside assistance for a personal or emotional problem. The hypothesized pathways from perceived family functioning and psychosomatic symptoms through CPS report were not supported. The study's findings contribute to understanding the role that social support can play in caregivers' seeking service use for emotional or personal problems.

Prudent Therapy in High Conflict Cases: With and Without Allegations of Intimate Partner Violence or Child Abuse

Many therapists see large numbers of people who are going though the process of divorce, but they do not receive training about the special issues that emerge in many divorcing families, particularly those who are engaged in high levels of conflict. Therapists in these cases may be faced with situations where there are allegations of abuse or domestic violence or other allegations are swirling within high conflict complex cases, in which the therapist is drawn toward advocacy or into action that is inadvertently detrimental to the family or puts the therapist at risk. This article describes some of these professional risks and recommends best practices in these complicated clinical cases.

Penn State Scandal Draws Attention to Child Sexual Abuse

Penn State Scandal Draws Attention to Child Sexual Abuse

Constitutional Rights of Parents and Children in Child Protective and Juvenile Delinquency Investigations

This report addresses the balance between the authority of the child protective system to investigate allegations of child abuse and the constitutional rights of parents and children to family privacy and autonomy. It also discusses rights of parents and children in the juvenile delinquency context, where the child is a suspected perpetrator of a crime rather than a victim. In the principal case discussed, Camreta v. Greene, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether, absent exigent circumstances, the 4th Amendment prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures is violated when a child protective services investigator accompanied by a police officer interviews a suspected child victim at school, without first obtaining a judicial warrant or parental permission. While it remains to be seen whether the Court will reach the merits of the case, the oral arguments and outpouring of friend of the court briefs illustrate the difficulty of balancing values of child protection, public safety and family autonomy. Note: In an opinion issued on March 26, 2011, the Court dismissed the Camreta case as moot leaving the controversial 4th Amendment issues unresolved.

Parent management training, relationships with agency staff, and child mental health: Urban foster parents' perspectives

Many foster parents are ill prepared to meet the behavioral needs of children placed in their homes. Research suggests they lack training in evidence-based behavioral interventions and feel unsupported by child welfare professionals. Given the complex needs of foster children and increased rates of placement disruption for foster children with behavior problems, implementation of effective interventions is essential. However, little is known about foster parents' receptivity to these types of interventions. In this qualitative study, we examine urban foster parents' perceptions of the specific elements of parent management training (PMT), an evidence-based treatment for disruptive behaviors that teaches parents to improve desired behaviors and decrease oppositional behaviors by rewarding positive behaviors (positive reinforcement) and responding to negative behaviors with mild, consistent punishments such as timeout or a privilege removal. We present data from four focus groups (N = 38). While the questions focused on parent's perceptions of PMT, responses often related to parent interactions with agency staff. Four strong themes emerged from the data. First, foster parents discussed a need for more support and training in how to address children's behaviors, but also had concerns that some PMT discipline techniques would be ineffective based on their past experiences with foster children. Second, they described how staff communication skills and allegations of child abuse could affect parents' motivation to continue fostering. Third, they expressed a need for more detailed information about children's histories and visits with biological families as the lack of information contributed to difficulty in meeting foster children's needs. They suggested that joint training of foster parents and staff in the intervention could improve their ability to work together to support the child's positive behaviors. Finally, parents reported little involvement in child mental health services and doubted the effectiveness of the mental health services their foster children received.

Illicit Drug Exposure in Patients Evaluated for Alleged Child Abuse and Neglect

Substantiation of drug exposure in cases with alleged maltreatment is important to provide proper treatment and services to these children and their families. A study performed at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics showed that 30% of pediatric patients with burn injuries, which were due to child maltreatment, were also exposed to illicit drugs. The children presenting to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics with alleged maltreatment have been tested for illicit substances since 2004. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of illicit drug exposure in the pediatric subpopulation admitted to pediatric inpatient and outpatient units for an evaluation for abuse/neglect. The study design is a retrospective chart review. Using hospital databases, every pediatric chart with a child abuse/neglect allegation was retrieved. The association between risk factors and clinical presentation and illicit drug test result was assessed. Excel and SAS were used for statistical analysis. Institutional review board approval was obtained to conduct this study. Six hundred sixty-five charts met study inclusion criteria for child abuse/neglect allegation. Of those, 232 cases were tested for illicit drugs between 2004 and 2008 per the testing protocol. Thirty-four cases (14.7%) tested positive on a drug test. Positive test rates based on clinical presentation were 28.6% (18/63) in neglect cases, 16.1% (5/31) in cases with soft tissue injuries, 14.3% (4/28) in burn injuries, 10.0% (2/20) in cases with sexual abuse, 7.1% (2/28) in cases with fractures, and 4.8% (3/62) in abusive head trauma cases. There were long-term abuse findings in 129 children (55.6%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that positive drug testing was most significantly associated with clinical symptoms suggesting physical abuse or neglect versus sexual abuse (odds ratio [OR] = 6.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-35.49; P = 0.026), no or public health insurance versus those with private insurance (OR = 4.49; 95% CI, 1.47-13.66; P = 0.008), history of parental drug abuse versus those without parental history of drug abuse (OR = 3.42; 95% CI, 1.38-8.46; P = 0.008), and history of domestic violence versus those without a history of domestic violence (OR = 2.81; 95% CI, 1.08-7.30; P = 0.034). The results of this study showed that an illicit drug screening protocol used in the assessment of children evaluated for child abuse identified almost 15% of the population of allegedly abused and neglected children who were tested according to a protocol being exposed to illicit drugs. Thus, routine drug testing of at least children assessed for neglect and nonaccidental burn and soft tissue injuries, children with a history of either parental drug use or domestic violence is recommended.

Exploring Nonoffending Caregiver Satisfaction with a Children's Advocacy Center

This study is a case evaluation research report on one Children's Advocacy Center that provides a coordinated response to allegations of child maltreatment, particularly sexual abuse. The data come from a mailed survey of nonoffending caregivers measuring their satisfaction with services provided through the Children's Advocacy Center. The results indicate overall satisfaction with the Children's Advocacy Center; however, they also suggest that the forensic interview may be perceived or experienced as distinct from the ongoing investigative and legal processes. Recommendations are made to better assess nonoffending caregiver satisfaction with Children's Advocacy Center services and to encourage consumer driven service improvement.

Examination of the consistency of interviewer performance across three distinct interview contexts

The current study examined the consistency of investigative interviewers' performance (n=31) across three distinct interview paradigms: (a) a mock interview where an adult actor played the role of a child recalling abuse, (b) a mock interview where a school child recalled an innocuous event that was staged at the child's school, and (c) a field interview where the interviewer elicited a statement of abuse from a child. Performance was measured by calculating the proportion of open-ended and leading questions, and by eliciting expert ratings of the presence of a range of problem behaviours commonly exhibited by interviewers. Overall, the performance of individual interviewers was relatively stable across the tasks. Heterogeneity in stability, however, differed according to the type of question and the nature of the event being examined. In particular, the mock interview paradigm where the adult acted the role of an alleged child abuse victim produced a measure of performance that was more similar to the field interview than the interview where a school child recalled an innocuous event. The implications of the findings for trainers, and directions for future research, are discussed.

Translating Knowledge for Child Welfare Practice Cross-Nationally

Some researchers contend that the rise in child abuse allegations among Caribbean immigrants in New York City is consistent with the large body of research suggesting that maltreatment is driven by the complex interaction of interpersonal, economic, social, and environmental factors. Others believe it has more to do with cultural child-rearing norms sanctioning the use of physical punishment of children. The goals of the research reported here were to better understand the influence of these many factors on child rearing, particularly as they relate to disciplinary practices within the Trinidadian population. An ethnographic field study of the context and norms of child rearing in the Caribbean was completed. This yielded data that were then translated into practice guidelines and policy recommendations by seven seasoned child welfare workers in New York City, all involved in a specialized MSW training program with the principal investigator. The functioning of Caribbean immigrant families is affected by a combination of relocation issues, differing child-rearing norms and traditions, shifting family roles and parental expectations, economic hardships, and normative stressors. Knowledge of how better to address these in practice should aid in limiting their risk for family violence.

Using Spaced Learning Principles to Translate Knowledge into Behavior: Evidence from Investigative Interviews of Alleged Child Abuse Victims

The present study assessed the progress of 13 investigative interviewers (child protection workers and police officers) before, during, and after an intensive training program (n = 132 interviews). Training began with a 2-day workshop covering the principles of child development and child-friendly interviewing. Interviewers then submitted interviews on a bi-weekly basis to which they received written and verbal feedback over an 8-month period. A refresher session took place two months into training. Interestingly, improvements were observed only after the refresher session. Interviews conducted post-refresher training contained proportionally more open-ended questions, more child details in response to open-ended questions, and proportionally fewer closed questions than interviews conducted prior to training and in the first half of the training program. The need for ‘spaced learning’ may underlie why so many training programs have had little effect on practice.

“Sex, Lies and Videotapes”: Gathering and Assessing Evidence of Child Abuse in Family Law Cases

Determining the veracity of allegations of child abuse raised in post-separation parenting disputes is difficult, because family courts in Australia do not have their own investigatory power or capacity. They rely on evidence brought before them from State/Territory child protection authorities, police, and other experts who may have interviewed and assessed the child/family. This article describes the gap between Commonwealth and State/Territory responsibilities and mechanisms, and data from a recent evaluation of an innovative program designed to bridge this jurisdictional gap: the Family Court of Australia's “Magellan” case-management model. The views of judges and other key stakeholders from the Family Court and intersecting agencies are presented about the evidence that is put forward in family law disputes in which child sexual abuse or serious physical abuse is alleged. It is important to ensure children's best interests are served, even when it is difficult to adduce evidence and distil truth.

A controlled analysis of professionals’ contemporaneous notes of interviews about alleged child abuse

Objective The current study investigated (under optimal conditions) the accuracy and completeness of professionals’ contemporaneous written notes of child abuse interviews. Method Participants included 107 experienced child abuse investigators who were all trained to adhere to best-practice interview guidelines and who routinely took notes as records of interviews. The interviews documented for this study were read live for 15 min duration, and at a pace of 2.2 words (on average)/s. The professionals’ notes of the interviews were analyzed for completeness and accuracy. Key outcome measures were the prevalence and discernability of the questions (i.e., whether the structure of questions was recorded accurately) as well as the child responses. Results Despite the omission of 39% of abuse-related details, recording of content details was clearly prioritized over interviewer questions. This was revealed irrespective of the measure of note taking quality or the quality of the interview being recorded. Of the various layout styles employed, scrutiny of interviewer questions was maximized by: (a) using symbols or spacing to delineate questions and responses, (b) capturing the first two words of a question, and (c) using abbreviations. Conclusions Although note taking could potentially improve with further research, training and instruction, this form of documentation does not provide full scrutiny of the interview process, even under optimal conditions. Practice implications Electronic recording is strongly recommended for all interviews, especially considering global concerns about interviewers’ adherence to best-practice interview guidelines. If notes continue to be used as a record of interview, further research and training are urgently warranted to improve note taking competency.