Examined the frequency of children's disclosure of sexual abuse and factors that might influence disclosure. Results, based on 179 children's reports, indicate a 47% disclosure rate. The child's age, siblings in the home, perpetrator other than a biological parent, alleged oral-genital contact or penetration, previous disclosure, and physician…

This article explores the relationship between disability and child abuse, addressing both disability resulting from abuse and disability as a factor that contributes to abuse. The article also discusses how schools can improve their reporting practices and their responses to children with disabilities, and how schools can support families. (CR)

Suggests that protecting children is humanity's moral litmus test and the overarching moral challenge in our world and nation, where millions of children's lives are ravaged by adult wars, neglect, abuse, and racial, ethnic, religious, and class divisions. Notes that what school leaders accomplish now (investing in child health, early childhood…

Medical diagnostic criteria for Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (a persistent fabrication by one individual of illness in another) are presented. Since the strength of the known facts may vary from case to case, diagnostic criteria are given for a definitive diagnosis, a possible diagnosis, an inconclusive determination, and the definitely excluded…

Because child abusers can be found everywhere (even in schools) and children do not easily report abuse, board members are advised to know the law, stay informed about preventive programs, lobby for teacher education changes, foster inservice programs, develop firm policies, educate children, and check employment references. (MLH)

The article encourages special educators to be more aware of their responsibilities regarding preventing, identifying, reporting, and intervening in child sexual abuse. Information on indicators of sexual abuse, issues in reporting sexual abuse, effects of reporting on the child victim, school-based interventions, and school-based preventive…

Analysis of data on 282 Baltimore (Maryland) children placed in kinship care following neglect or abuse revealed that, compared to classroom peers, subjects had poor study habits and attention/concentration skills. Subjects had average or better relationships with teachers and peers. There was poor to moderate concordance in assessments of…

Encourages school health educators to include a unit on child abuse and neglect as a component of the health education curriculum, noting the current lack of attention to the subject, describing the magnitude of the problem, and explaining how early intervention can limit the damage. The paper likens such education to secondary prevention, a…

Student problem solving, even with emotionally disturbed children, provides students and teachers with a way to deal with impulsive behavior. Outlines steps to respectful problem solving by introducing students to ways to reframe their thinking. (JPS)

The purpose of this paper was to elaborate on the definitions of child abuse in order to improve the understanding of child abuse. The definitions given by the U.S. House Joint Committee on Child Abuse in the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, and in research by Holden (1984), are cited. These definitions refer to the nature of abusive acts…

The paper describes a federally funded project of the University of Alberta (Canada) addressing sexual assault and sexual abuse of people with disabilities. Written in outline style, the paper briefly describes project activities and general conclusions. Phase I of the project documented the nature and extent of the problem. It was concluded that…

U.S. schools must today address problems of crime, violence, drugs, suicide, child abuse, and lack of discipline. Academic issues have recently been in the public spotlight, but the quality of a child's education can be severely affected if the child is not in a safe environment. Crime and violence are a pervasive problem in schools, affecting…

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…

With heightened national attention to the problem of child sexual abuse, school districts have responded by seeking out and implementing prevention programs in an attempt to prevent abuse from occurring. Unfortunately, many such programs are based on questionable assumptions, limited understanding of how children learn and process information, and…

Professional educational organizations such as The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) recognize the special needs of abused and neglected children and the responsibility of the entire professional community to offer services to meet these needs. CEC is presently involved in the design of a training program for educators that combines a…