Youth in foster care face significant life challenges that make it more likely that they will face negative outcomes (i.e., school failure, homelessness, and incarceration). While the reason(s) for out-of-home placement (i.e., family violence, abuse, neglect and/or abandonment) provide some context for negative outcomes, such negative outcomes…

The number of people identifying as biracial is rapidly growing, though little is known about the experiences of interracial families. Previous work indicates that biracial children may be at elevated risk of entering the child welfare system. This could underscore additional risks faced by these families. This document includes data from the…

Many child welfare systems are unable to effectively identify and address co-occurring domestic violence and child maltreatment. In response, the Dependency Court Intervention Program for Family Violence implemented a protocol to identify indicators of domestic violence in families involved with child protection proceedings. This article…

Discusses criteria for identification of six types of physical maltreatment of children. The typology represents a broad framework which is used to differentiate between milder and more severe forms of physical child abuse. (NH)

"Blood vengeance" is a culturally specific phenomenon that can place Bedouin-Arab children at high risk of neglect. This case study examines psychological and social implications of vengeance on children, the children's coping strategies, and the role of social work. The study provides insight into bridging the "emic-etic" gap…

Surveyed adult survivors of abuse about their attempts, as children, to get help by disclosing it to someone who might intervene. Found that disclosure usually did not bring an end to the abuse, and that little action was taken to control the perpetrator; responses received by children were linked to their levels of self-esteem and family…

Hypothesizes that traumatization underlies the difficulties many children experience from witnessing their parents' marital violence/spousal abuse, and argues that intervention should be designed to counteract post-traumatic disorders. A case study highlights this discussion. (BB)

Explores professionals' practice of heightening the awareness of child abuse victims as either a goal or a by-product of the investigation-treatment process. Suggests guidelines indicating when it may be advisable to heighten awareness during treatment and when it should be avoided. (HOD)