Child abuse: practical application of autopsy, radiological, and microscopic studies

A 17-month-old male infant died at home. The infant's right arm was immobilized because of a humeral fracture 1 month earlier. The circumstances of death appeared unclear to the police investigators and a medicolegal autopsy was carried out. External examination revealed diffuse ecchymoses of varying color. Postmortem imaging was performed prior to autopsy (X-rays, multislice computed tomography [MSCT], and focused brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]). These investigations revealed four rib fractures of varying ages, one of which was posterior. Cerebral and pericerebral traumatic lesions were also diagnosed: bilateral subdural hematomas, intraventricular, meningeal, and interpedoncular hemorrhages. In the abdomen, fresh blood was visible within the anterior abdominal wall and the mesenteric root. Autopsy and microscopic study confirmed these lesions. This case report illustrates the valuable assistance rendered by MSCT and MRI to diagnose abuse when a child has died in unclear circumstances.     

Sudden death in toddlers caused by influenza B infection: a report of two cases and a review of the literature

Sudden fatal cases of influenza B infection in a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy are presented. Both children complained of abdominal pain without respiratory, neurologic or cardiac symptoms; additionally the girl had vomiting within 2 days of death. Autopsy revealed histological changes in the respiratory system consistent with a viral infection. Influenza B infection was identified by immunohistochemistry in the girl and real-time polymerase chain reaction in the boy. Additional testing including cultures, toxicology, and screening for metabolic disorders were negative. These cases illustrate the usefulness of viral testing, especially for influenza, in the medical legal autopsy of children even when the classic respiratory symptoms of flu are lacking.     

克莱因的儿童心理结构观述评

英国著名儿童精神分析学家克莱因 ,从对象和对象关系入手 ,系统地阐述了生命第一年内儿童心理的发展及其结构特征。她提出的偏执—分裂样心态和抑郁性心态 ,是生命早期的自我状态、对象关系、焦虑及其防御的综合 ,它们既是一种正常的发展序列 ,又是某些病理现象的早期根源。两种心态观是克莱因对弗洛伊德的心理性欲发展阶段观的修正 ,是对儿童分析和儿童心理学的重要贡献。     

嫖宿幼女罪再思考——一种国际公约的视角

嫖宿幼女罪自其设立之时就在学者中间存有争议,近年来发生的几起影响较大的嫖宿幼女案,更将争论推向社会各界。在这些争论中,更多的意见是废除嫖宿幼女罪,将嫖宿幼女并人奸淫幼女,以强奸罪论处。从国际公约的视角来看,嫖宿幼女罪的罪名确属不当,然而,将嫖宿幼女合并于奸淫幼女的意见也值得商确,事实上也难以实现。综合考虑各种因素,建议废除嫖宿幼女罪,将嫖宿幼女当作强迫幼女卖淫,以强迫卖淫罪论处。     

Strengthening Canadian Law Enforcement and Academic Partnerships in the Area of Online Child Sexual Exploitation: The Identification of Shared Research Directions

This article outlines the law enforcement response to online child sexual exploitation and identifies two key areas of research that would benefit from an academic focus—the link between online and offline child sexual exploitation offending, and the psychological health and wellness of online child sexual exploitation investigation employees. While there are several areas in need of research, these two areas demonstrate a unique opportunity for collaborative work. Also highlighted is a joint international research partnership among law enforcement, practitioners and academia that demonstrates the benefits of linking academic research interests with the practical needs of law enforcement. Last, are several suggestions for operationally relevant collaborative research in this area. Such opportunities bring together various areas of expertise, which will advance our understanding of the needs of victims, and improve victim support services.     

Unheard Voices: Why Former Child Welfare Workers Left Their Positions

This mixed methods study used a snowball sample (n = 54) to capture retrospective insight from former public child welfare workers about job satisfaction and reasons they left their positions. Responses to open-ended questions suggested a theme of lack of organizational support as the primary reason they left. Former workers also reported that they wanted a voice and someone to hear their concerns, greater recognition, and opportunity to practice self-care. Quantitatively, workers in their positions 8 years or longer were the most satisfied on a 19-item global scale examining job satisfaction. Respondents were unhappy with their workloads and emotional impact of their positions.     

Grandparent contact: another presumption?

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the debate about the enhancement of grandparents’ legal status in relation to their grandchildren. In particular, it observes that calls for a legal presumption in favour of grandparent contact with their grandchildren when family relationships break down were emboldened by the enactment in s1(2A) of the Children Act 1989 of a presumption that involvement of both parents in their children’s lives furthers children’s welfare. Proponents of grandparent rights argued that there should be a similar statutory presumption in favour of grandparent involvement. It is also argued that courts should strictly enforce child arrangement orders that give grandparents time with grandchildren. The article examines the welfare case for such involvement and concludes that there is no unequivocal evidence to support it. It also considers the effect of the presumption in s1(2A). The article concludes that to enact a similar presumption in favour of grandparents, to apply a de facto presumption, to enforce orders strictly and even to remove the leave requirement that currently exists, could prejudice the interests of mothers as well as children.     

Financial Stress and Depression Among African Refugees in the Southern United States: A Serial Multiple Mediation Analysis of Financial Self-Efficacy and Financial Anxiety

Abstract

As part of a larger community-based participatory research project exploring the postresettlement challenges of African refugees in the southern United States, our study investigated the phenomenon of financial stress and its relationship to mental health through a mediating chain of factors—financial self-efficacy and financial anxiety. Results revealed the mediating role of financial self-efficacy and financial anxiety on the relationship between financial stress and depressive symptoms. Findings provide discourses around financial stress and mental health in the migration context, critical to recognizing the unique experiences of African refugees and informing culturally responsive programs for financial inclusion and economic integration.     

The legitimization and institutionalization of ‘parental alienation’ in the Province of Quebec

ABSTRACT

This article examines the legitimization and institutionalization of ‘parental alienation’ discourse in the Province of Quebec, Canada. It draws upon an analysis of 31 documents (legislation, research reports and articles, training documents, professional documents and media articles) and interviews with 13 key informants, who were selected based on their knowledge of ‘parental alienation’ in research, policies or practices. The research findings reveal that the legitimization and institutionalization of ‘parental alienation’ discourse is a more recent process than in other provinces and countries, but that it has now permeated child custody as well as child protection proceedings. Academic researchers and media have been instrumental in this legitimization and institutionalization process, while the role played by changes to child protection policies is more ambiguous. The findings reveal researchers’ and experts’ tendency to distance themselves from Gardner’s controversial work on ‘parental alienation syndrome’ and to address the critiques by proposing new approaches and new concepts. However, the terms ‘parental alienation syndrome’, ‘parental alienation’ and ‘alienating behaviours’ are often used interchangeably, and assessment practices tend to rely on similar indicators.     

独生女的婚恋状况究竟如何?--对现有研究结果的几点思考

现有研究中关于异性别成长、同性别成长、单性别成长的视角具有很好的启发意义。但研究者关于三种性别男性不存在差别现象的理论解释尚不能让人信服;对于独生女与异性别成长女性之间存在显著差异的结果及其理论解释,则有可能因为缺乏对实际存在且与研究假设密切相关的城乡变量、文化程度变量的控制而形成错误。真正导致独生女与另两类女性之间出现差异的原因或许并不是性别,而是城乡背景、文化程度和有无兄弟姐妹。此外,研究者的价值观不应成为对调查结果进行解释的出发点,也不能成为其判断客观现实“是什么”和“为什么”的标准。