Notes that enactment of mandatory child abuse reporting laws has seen increase in number of child abuse and neglect reports. It has been suggested that increased reporting has substantially reduced number of child abuse-related fatalities. Examines trends in national data on child abuse fatalities and fails to find evidence of decline.…

Discusses the Swedish legal prohibition of corporal punishment based on Garbarino's model for research on child abuse and a secondary analysis of statistical data. Results showed the soft approach of the Swedish act, aiming at a long-term change of attitudes, is highly effective. (JAC)

This document provides highlights and recommendations of a conference on battered children and child abuse sponsored by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In a discussion of the nature of the child abuse problem, the history of child maltreatment is briefly reviewed and…

Describes experiences of children and adolescents in South Africa who have been subjected to the violence of the apartheid state. Discusses detention of children and torture and assault of detained children. Against this backdrop, explores the effects of violence on children, psychological trauma, counseling interventions, and applications of…

Notes that psychotherapists and art therapists working with children identified as having been sexually abused have noticed certain graphic indicators seemingly peculiar to artwork of these children. Sees use of art therapy in treatment of sexually abused children as well substantiated. Reviews studies examining characteristics that appear more…

Presents a workshop model to heighten awareness of child abuse among staff members. The minimum amount of time required is three hours. Small group workshops consist of a brief presentation by workshop leaders followed by question and answer periods. These presentations should not exceed 15 people. Follow-up is recommended. (Author/BEF)

Explores the idea of "wonderful children" as a socially defined concept pervading parents' perceptions of their children. Examines professionals' views of young children and possible contradictions which arise within the specific context of child abuse. The analysis is based on interviews with mothers and observations of interactions at…

Suggests that the characteristics of an abused child might be the result of the parent's abusive behavior or the cause of such behavior. The nature of the particular encounter and the matching or nonmatching of needs may turn the characteristics of the child or parent into risk factors. (JAC)