Maltreated Children and Their Families in Juvenile Dependency Court II: Maltreatment Recidivism

The most serious maltreatment cases are referred to Juvenile Dependency Court. Eighty-eight court records were coded for factors related to maltreatment recidivism, including prior involvement histories, differential response, and placement changes. Seventy-two percent of caregivers had previous involvement, which correlated with family size and number of presenting concerns. When caregivers were offered voluntary services previously, 15% were completed. Children of substance-abusing caregivers were more likely to have prior involvement with the system. On average, children experienced four placement changes. Almost half of children reunified with caregivers had to be removed by the court. Recommendations and future directions are discussed.     

A Statewide Study of the Public's Knowledge of Child Abuse Reporting Laws

This study conducted telephone interviews with a random sample of adults (N = 509) in a state with a universal child abuse reporting law. A substantial proportion of the interviewees (39%) were not aware of this law. Findings indicated that the public's understanding was mixed. Most respondents knew that reports could be made anonymously and that their identity could be kept private. However, most believed that children are automatically removed from the home if there is maltreatment and more than 50% were not aware they could be charged with a misdemeanor for failing to report a suspicion of child abuse. The respondents who had ever made a report (19%), had a greater knowledge of the laws than those who had not made a report. Older adults and those with less education had the least accurate perception of child abuse reporting policies. When asked about barriers to reporting, respondents cited worries that reporting would not help the child. Findings suggest that efforts to increase the public's comfort with reporting may require strategies to increase their confidence that the benefits will outweigh the risks for the child.     

虐待罪及其处遇——基于和谐社会语境下的思考

虐待罪属于亲情间的犯罪,家庭成员成为厘定该罪范围的重要内容。囿于对虐待罪犯罪表象恶的认识,主张对其施以重刑的思想成为必然。通过对虐待罪范围及其表现形式的分析,在基于和谐社会建设的主题语境下,认为对虐待罪的处遇应当在现行刑法规定范围内,对行刑方式作恰当的改变,对一般虐待行为和虐待罪之轻罪施行社区矫正的处罚;重罪依法酌情予以假释或减刑再进入社区矫正。使之既有利于罪犯真正改造,又有利于家庭建设与良好发展,达到刑罚的真正目的。     

THE APPLE DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE (OR DOES IT?): INTERGENERATIONAL PATTERNS OF ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR—THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY 2008 SUTHERLAND ADDRESS*

There is a growing literature on intergenerational studies of antisocial behavior and a growing understanding of the unique contributions they are likely to make. At the same time, the field has yet to agree on core design features for intergenerational study. In this article, I propose a set of defining design elements that all intergenerational studies should meet and I discuss the advantages of these studies for enhancing our understanding of the onset and course of delinquent careers. I then use data from the ongoing Rochester Intergenerational Study to illustrate these points and the potential yield of intergenerational studies. In particular, I examine intergenerational continuities in antisocial behavior and school disengagement, test the cycle of violence hypothesis to see whether a history of maltreatment increases the likelihood of perpetration of maltreatment, and estimate a structural equation model to help identify mediating pathways that link parents and children with respect to antisocial behavior.     

明清州县的狱具及凌虐罪囚

明清州县存在正规和非正规的监狱,虽然都纳入正规管理的范畴,但在设置、设施、管理等方面存在一定差异。明清王朝对狱具的种类、材质、形制、适用条件、使用方法都有规定。狱具可分为合法狱具和非法狱具,非法狱具是禁止使用的,但是统治者非但无法杜绝非法狱具的使用,而且还在条例中增加新狱具,使非法狱具合法化。合法狱具也存在许多不合法使用的现象,甚至还有新的发明创造,千方百计地凌虐罪囚,使狱囚身心受到严重摧残,即使惨死狱中也无处伸冤。     

Seeking Safety,Finding Abuse: Stories from Foster Youth on Maltreatment and Its Impact on Academic Achievement

The safety of foster children and youth is the primary concern of the U.S. Department of Human Services. Yet, not all certified foster care homes offer the safety children need. This article reports the findings of a phenomenological study of foster youth reporting maltreatment occurring at the hands of foster parents. With a scarcity of studies on the abuse occurring at the hands of foster care providers, this study offers an important glimpse into the realities of life in care. Through in-depth interviews, this study reveals the harm perpetrated by foster care providers and the probable connection between maltreatment in care and barriers to academic achievement.     

A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Child Maltreatment on Later Outcomes among High-risk Adolescents

The current study longitudinally examines the effects of child maltreatment, parenting, and disadvantaged neighborhood on victimization, delinquency, and well-being via running away and school engagement among a sample of 360 high-risk adolescents. Results of a path analysis revealed that parenting was associated with school engagement, running away, and well-being. Childhood neglect was related to victimization while sexual abuse and living in a more disadvantaged neighborhood were associated with poorer well-being. Greater school engagement was associated with higher levels of well-being and a lower likelihood of delinquency. Finally, running away was positively associated with participating in delinquent activities. In terms of the interactions, results showed that the effect of positive parenting on well-being was significantly stronger for females and the manner in which neglect related to school engagement was greater among males. Additionally, gender significantly moderated the relationship between running away and victimization and between running away and delinquency, both of which the effects were significantly stronger for males. Implications for families and adolescents are addressed.

Epidemiological Considerations in the Conceptualization and Utilization of “Prevalence” and “Incidence Rate” in Family Violence Research: A Reply to Brownridge and Halli (1999)

Brownridge and Halli (1999) have argued that the literature on family violence is beset by confusion in the conceptualization and utilization of incidence and prevalence terminology. Although we basically agree with the authors' diagnosis of the field, definitions of prevalence and incidence that they propose as gold standards are sometimes discrepant with established concepts in epidemiology. Drawing on the epidemiologic literature, we present more solidly based and operational definitions of these terms and try to understand the meaning of each measure. The same confusion surrounding use of prevalence and incidence also reigns in child maltreatment research, as revealed in our review of major studies. We address some of the main but often overlooked issues associated with use of epidemiologic measures in an area of social research such as family violence and make some proposals.     

Project SafeCare: Improving Health, Safety, and Parenting Skills in Families Reported for, and At-Risk for Child Maltreatment

Project SafeCare was a 4-year, in-home, research and intervention program that provided parent training to families of children at-risk for maltreatment, and families of children who were victims of maltreatment. Parents were trained in treating children's illnesses and maximizing their own health-care skills (Health), positive and effective parent–child interaction skills (Parenting), and maintaining low hazard homes (Safety). The effectiveness of these training components was evaluated as the change in the parents' scores on roleplay situations for child health problems, hazards present in the home, and the frequency and quality of parent–child interactions during activities of daily living. Statistically significant improvements were seen in child health care, home safety, and parent–child interactions.