In this article, the authors used a statewide survey to investigate the extent to which beliefs regarding the age at which youth reach maturity, the role of peer influences, and other factors, such as abuse during childhood, are associated with measures of how harshly juveniles should be treated by the justice system. The results of this study…

California is home to more than 9 million children. With 12 percent of the nation's children, the well-being of California kids has a big impact on the well-being of children nationally. Unfortunately, California recently ranked 38th out of 50 states in children's well-being. Research has shown a strong connection between children's socioeconomic…

This article presents a discussion of two major problems in analyzing child abuse data: (1) the confusion between reports of abuse and neglect, and (2) the scarcity of data on confirmed reports. (CS)

This report is based on a review of South Dakota's procedures and laws related to handling child abuse and neglect cases. It is noted that a survey was conducted in Sioux Falls during the July 1989 training seminar conducted by the task force. The respondents to the survey are described as a wide representation of professionals associated with the…

Presented is an analysis of 1172 reported cases of child abuse in the eight southeastern States in Region IV (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi). Described in Chapter 1 is the methodology of the study including aims, sampling procedure, and data collection and processing. In Chapter 2,…

Arizona physicians (N=393) were surveyed regarding child abuse and neglect cases. Females estimated higher rates of childhood sexual abuse and lower incidence of false allegations in custody disputes; older physicians were more likely to refer cases to a specialist, more concerned about false reports, and more optimistic toward the rehabilitation…

A survey of 742 Kentucky adults revealed that they had a good understanding of the characteristics of abused children and child abusers, but a majority considered abusers as abnormal and intractable. Only a third of those aware of instances of child abuse actually reported it to authorities. (Author/JDD)

A sample of 1,172 cases of both confirmed and unconfirmed child abuse was analyzed in an attempt to identify major demographic variables which might be associated with differential case handling. The data were collected by transferring previously recorded information on child injury cases from state central registries to a standardized form. The…

As mandated by Pennsylvania's Child Protective Services Law (Act 124), the document presents the Department of Public Welfare's 1979 report on child abuse. Following an introductory section is a brief section on the nature and scope of the problem. Section III outlines the past year's activities of the Department of Public Welfare's Office of…

A questionnaire survey of 565 professionals in seven occupational and organizational contexts (physicians, psychiatrists, elementary school counselors and principals, public and private social workers, and police officers) in Rhode Island was undertaken to investigate the process by which child abuse is defined and identified. In addition to the…

Reported is a study of child abuse legislation and state programs relating to principles of reporting abuse in the eight southeastern states in Region IV (Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi). Chapter 1 introduces the report and includes research objectives, format, and methods of data…

This article discusses the three major obstacles to identifying the sexually abused child: (1) lack of recognition of the phenomenon, (2) failure to obtain adequate medical corroboration of the event, and (3) reluctance to report. (CS)

Based on the report of the Interagency Collaboration Project to Improve Services to Children, this book presents 78 facts about Texas children from birth to 18, on topics that range from broad environmental factors to specific handicapping conditions. Amplifying these facts are comments that provide the broader dimensions of cause, effect, scope,…

The purpose of this pamphlet was to make the Idaho public aware of the needs and status of young children in their state. The information comes primarily from the findings of three major research surveys conducted by the Idaho Office of Child Development. The first survey was designed to identify existing services and resources for children, youth…

This factbook provides data on the well-being of South Dakota children. It is intended as a vehicle for policy makers, advocates, the media, and service providers to raise awareness on the status of children in South Dakota. Section 1 of the factbook is an introduction and overview on South Dakota demographics. Section 2 presents special reports…