South Africa, a country with the highest incidence of rape and child rape in the world, has the fifth highest prevalence of HIV in the world, with 1.1 million AIDS orphans. The UNAIDS Global Report reveals 370,000 AIDS-related deaths in South Africa in 2003. Given the numbers of people infected and dying, South Africa is regarded as having the…

This article reviews the meaning and origins of child maltreatment in relation to children with disabilities. The heightened risk of abuse that is faced by such children arises from dynamics within the familial and community context of the child. (Author/DB)

This exploration of the dynamics and developmental consequences of child abuse begins with a definition of child abuse and a discussion of child sexual abuse. After a description of the incidence of child abuse, the consequences of abuse--including health and emotional problems, and neuro-developmental disabilities--are discussed. Further…

Discusses legal and psychological issues involved in erroneous reporting of child abuse. Addresses whether the child protection field will have the vision and initiative to address the problem proactively from within or whether regulation and restriction of activity will be imposed from without. Explores ideas to make child abuse detection more…

This paper reviews the clinical and empirical literature regarding mother-son sexual abuse and critiques the methodologies that may be responsible for the underreporting of such cases. The review reveals discrepancies regarding estimates of incidence and prevalence of mother-son sexual abuse based on traditional methodologies such as surveys,…

This commentary discusses the end of the use of corporal punishment as a potentially important aspect of primary prevention of physical abuse, explains why this potential has been ignored, and suggests that ending use of corporal punishment should become an explicit goal of those concerned with preventing physical abuse. (Contains references.)…

This review of child homicide research identifies three methodological issues: (1) the classification of child deaths as homicides is unreliable; (2) child homicides may not represent the endpoint of a continuum of violence from inadequate parenting to death; and (3) child homicides are not frequent enough to measure the impact of child welfare…

The study examining records of 370 children seen by a Child Protection Service Unit found 41 (11 percent) were involved in custody/access disputes. Of these cases 31 were females, sexual abuse was alleged for 34 and physical abuse for 7, and more than half were under 4 years of age. (DB)

The reported low incidence of child sexual abuse in Hong Kong is discussed in terms of cultural taboos, low level of awareness among professionals, and cultural attitudes of absolute authority of parents over children. Three case reports reflect the impact of these influences. (DB)

Comparison of the histories of 59 mothers of children (mean age 13 months) referred for nonorganic failure to thrive (NOFTT) and 131 mothers of children with normal growth found a surprising 80% of NOFTT mothers reported they were victims of abuse as children. The need for treatment of the mother-child dyad is stressed. (Author/DB)

This editorial comments on a study that found that parents of infants prenatally exposed to illegal drugs did not subsequently have more child abuse allegations than a comparison sample. The need for adult and child welfare professionals to work together in serving infants and their parents is stressed. (Contains 1 reference.) (CR)

Discusses societal reasons for the abuse of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Suggests some solutions that are linked to current professional literature and thinking on international disability policy. These include reliable nationwide data on abuse, training about abuse for all personnel who work with children who have disabilities, and…

Reviews the historical development of awareness about child sexual abuse and examines the counterreaction, or backlash, that this increasing awareness has triggered. The author urges professionals working in child sexual abuse to make sure that their opinions and actions are based on sound research and are directed toward improving the lives of…

This paper describes the Aboriginal culture and lifestyle from precolonization to the present, notes the problem of child abuse which developed after colonization, cites instances in which the judicial system has been sympathetic toward perpetrators and not victims of sexual abuse, and examines possible solutions to the problem. (JDD)

Addresses the phenomenon of children with disabilities who are maltreated. The higher risk for children with disabilities being victimized and maltreated because of their dependency and the higher reported incidence of abuse are discussed. Reasons for the higher incidence of abuse, including social devaluation, are provided. (CR)