Combatting Child Abuse: International Perspectives and Trends

Edited by Neil Gilbert

266pp, line figures, tables,
Published 1997. Hardback, 0-19-510009-3

The increasing number of children reported to the public authorities for maltreatment in Europe and the United States has raised compelling questions about how to detect and respond to child abuse. Many countries are now struggling with issues involving definitions of child abuse, reporting requirements, processes for responding to reports, substantiation rates, and services to abused children and their families.

Through a comparative study of the designs of child abuse reporting systems in nine countries including the United States, England, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden, Combatting Child Abuse sheds light on common problems and policy responses currently emerging in efforts to reduce child abuse. By analyzing the philosophy, structure, and operation of these reporting systems and their outcomes, Neil Gilbert illuminates alternative perspectives on how the problem of child abuse is defined and introduces an expanded view of policy options designed to protect children.

About Neil Gilbert:

Neil Gilbert is the Milton and Gertrude Chernin Professor of Social Welfare and Social Services and Co-Director of the Family Welfare Research Group at the University of California, Berkeley. His most recent books include Welfare Justice: Restoring Social Equity. He is also co-author with Barbara Gilbert of The Enabling State: Modern Welfare Capitalism in America published by Oxford University Press.

I.
Child Protective Orientation

1. United States: California's Reporting System
Ruth Lawrence-Karski 9

2. Canada: Trends and Issues in Child Welfare
Karen J. Swift 38

3. England: Child Abuse Reports, Responses, and Reforms
David Berridge 72

II.
Family Service Orientation--Mandatory Reporting

4. Sweden: Towards a Deresidualization of Swedish Child
Welfare Policy and Practice?
Sven E. Olsson Hort 105

5. Denmark: Voluntary Placements as a Family Support
Vita L. Bering Pruzan 125

6. Finland: Child Abuse as a Family Problem
Tarja Pösö 143

III.
Family Service Orientation--Nonmandatory Reporting

7. Belgium: An Alternative Approach to Child Abuse
Reporting and Treatment
Catherine Marneffe and Patrick Broos 167

8. The Netherlands: Responding to Abuse--Compassion
or Control
Marian A.S. Roelofs and Herman E.M. Baartman 192

9. Germany: A Nonpunitive Model
Reinhart Wolff 212

Conclusion: A Comparative Perspective 232

To order Combatting Child Abuse call:

(800) 451-7556

ISBN 0-19-510009-3

Oxford University Press, 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016

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I.	Child Protective Orientation
1.	United States: California's Reporting System Ruth Lawrence-Karski	9
2.	Canada: Trends and Issues in Child Welfare Karen J. Swift	38
3.	England: Child Abuse Reports, Responses, and Reforms David Berridge	72
II.	Family Service Orientation--Mandatory Reporting
4.	Sweden: Towards a Deresidualization of Swedish Child Welfare Policy and Practice? Sven E. Olsson Hort	105
5.	Denmark: Voluntary Placements as a Family Support Vita L. Bering Pruzan	125
6.	Finland: Child Abuse as a Family Problem Tarja Pösö	143
III.	Family Service Orientation--Nonmandatory Reporting
7.	Belgium: An Alternative Approach to Child Abuse Reporting and Treatment Catherine Marneffe and Patrick Broos	167
8.	The Netherlands: Responding to Abuse--Compassion or Control Marian A.S. Roelofs and Herman E.M. Baartman	192
9.	Germany: A Nonpunitive Model Reinhart Wolff	212
	Conclusion: A Comparative Perspective	232