Child Abuse and Neglect Essay Example

The social problem of child abuse and neglect is common in the United States. It is a problem has that has existed even during the ancient civilization (Meyer, 2017). According to the data released by the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), child abuse reports involves over 7.4 million children. Of this data, 4.1 million cases were referral reports received on child maltreatment and only 3.5 million children are able to receive prevention and post-response services. In 2016 alone an estimated 1750 children died from neglect and abuse. Children are neglected are estimated at 74.8%, 18.2% physically abused, 8.5% sexually abused and 6.9% psychologically maltreated. The conclusion by National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) indicates that, almost five children die every day from child abuse. Another interesting finding indicates that 90% of the juvenile sexual abuse victims have the knowledge or know their perpetrators. This clearly indicates that perpetrators are people within the family or the community (United States & Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011).

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Data from National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) clearly indicates that the implication of child abuse and neglect in the United States are exponential. Data can easily be read but behind it, there is a human suffering with each representing a child's life. The case of child abuse and neglect in the United States is costing the country an estimated $585 billion each year. Of the 7.4 million of child abuse and neglect cases estimates in the United States, only 3.5 million are reported meaning that the succession of prosecution is below 50% meaning the chances of getting a prosecution is half. To promote better monitoring and evaluation system to increase prosecutions, there is a need to have effective community intervention. This is by forming child protection team that involves professionals from criminal justice, education, social work and medicine who are able to appreciate and understand the different strength, weaknesses, roles, and responsibilities among themselves but coordinate and cooperates their effort. The skills each individual holds in important and equally different (Meyer, 2017).

The main personnel working in prosecuting perpetrators are law enforcement officers. During child abuse and neglect cases, law enforcement officers investigate the cases to determine if a criminal law violation occurred, identify and apprehend the perpetrators and lastly file criminal charges. This cases usually have unique characteristics because children make perfect victims and cases like sexual abuse are the most difficult investigated by law enforcement (United States & Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2011). To achieve the best, the law enforcement needs to plan and coordinate roles among physicians, social workers, therapists, and judges. The law enforcement needs to work together with these professionals for a common goal, for the welfare of the child and communicate with mutual respect. The law enforcement officers are viewed as the most important and vital members of the community's child protection team. This is because they are experience and trained objectively to investigate child abuse and neglect cases (United States, 2001). United States has already established policies and procedures that help in investigating this cases and the government is always prepared to establish training, guidelines, and protocols that guide the decision-making process.

The consideration for child abuse investigation starts when the law enforcement receives the referral about the case. They first identify professional and personal biases maintaining an objective stance. The child is interviewed at the scene and after the incident to help investigators focus on corroborative evidence (United States, 2001). The law enforcement also ensures that the child receives the best treatment. Getting information for the preliminary report is important. Abusive situation history and dates are important to document and also an intensive cover on the elements of crime and instruments of abuse. Preserving the crime scene by taking photographs, collecting DNA together with any injuries to the child is very important. In the follow-up investigation, the law enforcement needs to be optimistic and supportive of the child's family, arrange for medical examination to help collected important evidence for prosecution (United States, 2001). During the medical examination, physicians diagnose abuse problems, identify suspicious injuries, offer treatment, reports suspected incidents and testify in subsequent legal proceedings.

A medical examination is the most important and it is advisable if it is performed immediately the cases has been reported. This makes it possible to identify potential injuries and administer treatment. A medical professional who handles this cases needs to be trained and experienced in conducting forensic examinations (United States, 2001). A medical examination also helps in determining the presence of any corroborating evidence of chronic or acute trauma (United States, 2001). During the court phase, the victim's needs to be familiarized with the courts set up and proceedings. More importantly, evidence has to be filed in accordance with the court and state policy. Lastly, the law enforcement needs to make a follow up with the probation department for the preparation of victim impact statements and presentence report.

Conclusion

The case of child abuse and neglect in the United States is a social and health problem that the federal and state government should take more consideration and time to solve. On reported cases, the law enforcement professionals need to work together with other professionals to ensure consistency in the investigations. Significant collaboration ensures ant helpful protocols and pertinent considerations are provided. Child abuse is a multidimensional delinquent demanding multiagency, multidisciplinary team approach for effective interpolation.

References

"Child Maltreatment 2016." Children's Bureau | ACF. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2017). Retrieved From: www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/child-maltreatment-2016.

Meyer, S. (2017). Child abuse and domestic violence. Farmington Hills, Mich: Gale, Cengage Learning.

United States. (2001). Law enforcement response to child abuse. Washington, D.C: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

United States. & Child Welfare Information Gateway (U.S.). (2011). Child abuse and neglect. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, Children's Bureau, Child Welfare Information Gateway.