The problem of child sexual abuse has gained an increasing amount of national attention in the past decade. Intra-familial sexual relations, incest, appears to be the predominant form of child sexual abuse. Seventy to 80 percent of sexual abuse occurs with affinity systems--families, relatives, friends, and neighbors. Child sexual abuse has been…

The possible casues of abuse of mentally retarded persons in residential facilities are examined and a study of all reported abuse cases occurring in Alabama's residential facilities from January, 1984, to September, 1986 is reviewed. Fifty-seven confirmed cases of abuse were identified for further examination using facility records and system…

This paper provides an introduction to the nature and extent of the various forms of child abuse, including physical injury, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment. It identifies the behavioral, emotional, and physical characteristics of abuse and neglect, as manifested within the school setting; lists factors that pose a risk for…

This paper presents a theory and model for treating adolescent victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect. The theory examines issues related to abuse or neglect and the effect that an abusive history has on adolescent development. Specific issues noted are depression, anger, low self-esteem, self-shame, lack of trust, a sense of…

Contents of this keynote address provide current information about services offered by the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF). In fiscal years 1984 and 1985, ACYF will continue with program initiatives to improve the quality and effectiveness of Head Start. In addition, ACYF has established a number of initiatives to help…

This paper supports Ray Helfer's proposed model of child protection services (EC 600 595) and expands on the model from the perspective of the state's service role. It describes implementation of the model in Oregon, current problems, possibilities for change, and strategies for the future. (JDD)

Efforts to revolutionize the child welfare system must consider social trends and forces. Encouraging trends that child welfare reformers might be able to harness include biotechnology, availability of medical care, gender equality, awareness of parenting skills, and service sector growth. Discouraging trends include increasing rate of divorce and…

To explore the correlation between unemployment and child abuse rates, a literature review was conducted and the phenomenon was examined in a rural Inland Northwest county (X County) of 9,800 population which derived its main income from lumber and agriculture. Monthly substantiated child abuse cases were tallied from the Department of Health and…

This paper briefly discusses: violence as a context for verbal abuse; the legacy of student discipline in schools; a model indicating that verbal abuse is learned; data showing teachers do verbally abuse students; and a variety of ways to deal with this problem. Factors inducing teachers to exhibit aggressive behavior are identified and include:…

Recommendations are made for improving the existing child protection system by consideration of children as legal persons, parental duty instead of parental rights, and the state's duty. Solutions involve recognizing what works, developing political astuteness, marketing child protective services as a business, balancing centralization and…

The effect of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic on child abuse prevention is considered on two levels: its indirect effect as resources for child abuse prevention are diverted to meet increased demands for health care, social service, and public assistance systems; and direct effects in terms of abuse and neglect of HIV-infected…

Teachers have a special trust with students that includes not taking advantage of or abusing them. To ensure that sexual abuse is handled correctly in the school system, a policy must be adopted that requires employees to report incidences of abuse and make sure that the reporting requirement is balanced against the accused individual's rights.…

Studies have traced a possible link between patterns of family interaction, faulty socialization, child abuse, and delinquent behavior. Counselors can respond to the needs of society to reduce violence by their access to the research on human development and in their work with families and children. Some types of discipline and parental attitudes…

This article for early childhood administrators specifies guidelines and issues to be considered in the implementation of a comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention program. It also offers some ideas for what should be done if an allegation of sexual abuse is made against a staff member of a child care facility. Discussion focuses on six…

Child maltreatment, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse as well as chronic neglect, is a growing problem in society and one that educators must understand and be prepared to address. In 1981, Tennessee Technological University was selected by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education to be one of 13 institutions across…