The introduction of mandated reporting laws of suspected child maltreatment in the United States was intended to solve a problem - it has, however, also created new ones. What began as an effort to ensure that physicians were reporting physical abuse of children has expanded: psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners are now included as mandated reporters. In addition, the scope of child maltreatment has broadened to include physical neglect, emotional maltreatment and sexual abuse. The authors of this book discuss the profound effects - both positive and negative - that these changes have had on child protection services. In particular, they examine the impact on the typically long-term, trust-based therapist/client relationship. The book includes interviews with therapists and other child protection workers, reports on a North American survey of clinical psychologists working primarily in child maltreatment, suggests clinical strategies and considers practice and policy issues.
A groundbreaking therapeutic model to assist practitioners treat sexually abused children effectively is presented in this pragmatic volume. While the model is applicable to both male and female children, the author focuses on boys. In so doing, Friedrich cites pertinent gender and sociocultural issues that are critical to understanding boys, an understanding which is in turn essential for the provision of adequate and effective individual, group and family therapy. In his integrated model, Friedrich takes a developmental psychopathological perspective which focuses on three basic, interpersonal and developmental processes: attachment, dysregulation and the formation of the self.
The war against child abuse has become a war against children. Every year, hundreds of children die, thousands more are forced to live with strangers, and countless American families are torn apart. This book presents descriptions of children summarily removed from their homes and of families shattered because of false reports.
Designed for adolescent survivors of sexual abuse who are in group or individual counselling and written in a style appropriate for this age group, this excellent resource provides information on how survivors may have been affected by abuse. The Survivor's Guide will also be valuable to counsellors, psychotherapists and others helping survivors. The author helps readers to stop blaming themselves and to let go of the image that survivors often have of themselves of being in some way 'bad' and therefore deserving of the abuse. Case histories are included throughout to illustrate concepts introduced by the author. Lee also provides a 'language' that enables survivors to better communicate their experiences and feelings to others.
Written by an elementary principal in a poor, urban neighbourhood in the United States, The Least of These recounts a year in the life of a school and challenges the proposition that school reform can be achieved smoothly. The author describes the conditions of the children's lives and those of the people who struggle to help them. Her account is a moving narrative depicting poverty, violence and neglect, and the teachers' struggle to offset these dismal conditions. The book highlights the restrictions facing the school which result from a large bureaucracy and a powerful teachers' union.
Many adolescents in the United States are at risk from substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, academic underachievement, crime and violence. What can be done to tackle these growing problems? The author of this thought-provoking book suggests the need to focus on young people's development in relation to specific features of the individual's environmental 'context' such as family, neighbourhood and culture. By effecting changes in these contexts, in the form of community programmes, researchers can test for differences in children's behaviour and development.
Many adolescents in the United States are at risk from substance abuse, unsafe sexual practices, academic underachievement, crime and violence. What can be done to tackle these growing problems? The author of this thought-provoking book suggests the need to focus on young people's development in relation to specific features of the individual's environmental 'context' such as family, neighbourhood and culture. By effecting changes in these contexts, in the form of community programmes, researchers can test for differences in children's behaviour and development.
The critical needs of neglected and abused children are explored in this volume. The author discusses the challenges faced by practitioners who must provide the resources and support to help such vulnerable children anticipate the future with hope and confidence. Topics covered include: professional responsibility; physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children; family support; adoption; and mental health issues. Weisz also examines the complex legal and professional issues surrounding the decision to remove children from parents who abuse or neglect them. The book includes case studies to illustrate the efforts required to coordinate multidisciplinary services whose aim is to achieve long-term positive impact on the children.
