Articles tagged with Child Abuse
A new electronic exhibit developed by Andrea Walker and Vesna Kriss aims to help radiologists confidently diagnose child abuse using imaging techniques. The exhibit highlights red flags such as fractures in different stages of healing, posterior rib fractures, and long bone fractures in children who are not walking.
The authors of a recent article argue that mental health evaluators with adequate forensic training can provide valuable information to judges on custody-relevant issues. However, experts disagree on the role of these evaluations, with some suggesting they should only be used in serious cases of abuse or neglect. The symposium issue of...
A Canadian study involving 163 families with confirmed child physical abuse or neglect found that regular home visits by public-health nurses did not prevent recurrence of abuse. The study's findings suggest that prevention efforts must be invested in to reduce the risk of recurrence when a child remains in the home.
A study of 163 Canadian families found that regular home visits by nurses did not reduce the risk of child abuse recurrence. The high rates of recurrence suggest a need for substantial efforts in prevention before a pattern is established.
A University of Oregon psychologist recommends creating a new national institute on child abuse and interpersonal violence to address the pressing issue. The study highlights the alarming consequences of child sex abuse, including serious mental and physical health problems, substance abuse, and victimization in adulthood.
A Penn State-led education program has significantly reduced incidents of shaken baby syndrome in western New York, resulting in a 47% decrease in cases. The program, which costs less than $10 per infant, provides critical information to parents at the time of birth and is designed to be implemented with minimal time and resources.
A study by Penn State researchers reveals that repeated abuse can have a significant impact on bystanders, causing moderate to severe psychological and physiological repercussions. The study found that bystanders experience elevated emotional arousal when recalling past episodes of abuse, similar to victims.
A Dutch study found over 5% of parents reported smothering, slapping, or shaking their baby due to crying. The risk was highest for parents from non-industrialized countries and those with limited work hours.
A study published in Child Abuse & Neglect found that home visiting programs failed to identify risk factors and connect families with necessary resources, despite showing some positive outcomes. The researchers recommend better training for home visitors and improved coordination with community organizations.
A new UNC study found that child abuse brain injuries were five times more common in the hardest-hit counties after Hurricane Floyd, while non-abuse injuries increased by over 10 times. The research suggests that families affected by the disaster experienced heightened stress, poverty, and depression.
A study published in Addictive Behaviors found that women who were sexually abused as children were 3.8 times more likely to be current smokers, with twice the likelihood of ever smoking cigarettes and starting by age 14. The connection between childhood sexual abuse and smoking may help inform new approaches to prevent or quit smoking.
Researchers found a significant bias against recovered memories, with an average rating of 3.6 compared to 4.0 for continuous memories. This bias may be caused by imprecise terminology and misleading media reports, which can harm victims of child abuse.
A Canadian study found that 96% of substantiated child abuse cases did not result in serious physical harm, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of investigative procedures and risk assessments. The study's findings also raise concerns about the emphasis on rapid intervention over longer-term service needs.
Researchers found that infant falls can produce significant rotational forces that cause widespread and serious brain injury, including internal bleeding and nerve cell damage. This challenges the assumption that children respond similarly to head trauma as adults.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital found that parents' reports of no history of trauma in children with neurological symptoms after head injuries were highly indicative of abuse. The research used medical test results and histories to assess the likelihood of abuse, finding that even low-impact traumas were predictive of abuse.
A study found that male victims of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to become perpetrators if they experienced material neglect or lack of supervision during childhood. The risk was also increased if they witnessed violent behavior within their families.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that preschool programs can significantly reduce the risk of childhood abuse and neglect. The study, which followed over 1,000 low-income children, found that those who attended a preschool program had a 52% lower rate of maltreatment compared to those who did not attend.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded $2 million to fund research on inhalant abuse, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, and health consequences. The new studies aim to address the severe lack of research-based information on this widespread problem affecting young children.
Researchers found that minority children are over five times more likely to have their accidental injuries evaluated for child abuse compared to Caucasian children. However, when adjusted for likelihood of abuse, minority children were significantly more likely to receive a skeletal survey and be reported to child welfare authorities.
A genetic variation in monoamine oxidase A (MAO A) enzyme may protect maltreated children against antisocial behavior, with a ninefold increased risk of aggression in those with low enzyme activity. In contrast, higher MAO A levels were associated with trauma resistance and reduced behavior problems.
A recent study by Seth Pollak found that children who have experienced physical abuse categorize facial expressions differently than non-abused children. Abused children identified more faces as being 'angry' rather than fearful or sad. This suggests that experience can shape how people perceive and understand emotions.
The novel depicts institutional and domestic abuse against children, including Oliver's mistreatment in a workhouse and Nancy's abuse by her pimp Bill Sykes. Dickens identifies recognized parental risk factors for abuse, such as substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health problems, which are now acknowledged by modern research.
A Yale study found that retinal hemorrhaging caused by birth can clear up within two to four weeks, but prolonged cases may indicate child abuse. The study's results have implications for evaluating suspected cases of child abuse and may assist legal teams in preparing a more precise defense or prosecution.
A recent report from the World Bank suggests that violence against women is responsible for one out of every five working days lost. Research found a third of women aged 40-50 had been abused as children, with common symptoms like joint pain and fatigue more likely in those who were beaten or sexually abused.
Researchers found that nurse home visits reduced child abuse and neglect by up to 80% among low-income, unmarried women and their first-born children. The program had little effect on homes with moderate to severe domestic violence.
A study by Emory University researchers found that women who experienced childhood abuse have elevated hormonal responses to stress, which may contribute to greater vulnerability to depression and anxiety disorders in adulthood. The study suggests that early-life trauma plays a major role in the development of mood and anxiety disorders.
Critics argue that the 1990 Act has shifted protection focus towards rehabilitation, allowing more abuse to occur. The number of children placed in care fell by a third, but this decline is attributed to social workers' reluctance to intervene rather than a decrease in abuse.
The article criticizes the Children Act for shifting protection towards rehabilitation, making it harder to intervene in cases of severe abuse. The authors argue that the Act has led to a reluctance among social workers to take action, resulting in more children being left vulnerable.
A study of over 6,600 Indian men found that 17% reported physical abuse, 22% sexual abuse, and 7% used force while abusing. Abused women were more likely to experience unplanned pregnancies, especially with abusive partners who used force. The research highlights the link between wife abuse and various health issues.
A new University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill study finds that child abuse homicides are more common than vital records reveal, with over 9,400 US children under 11 dying from abuse between 1985 and 1996. The true number is estimated to be three times higher than reported cases.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that men and women view sexual abuse cases differently, with women tending to favor the plaintiff. Women's familiarity with sexual and physical abuse also influences their judgments.
A study by Dr. Jane Leserman found that women with a history of sexual and physical abuse are more likely to have poor health during pregnancy and after childbirth, including higher levels of pain and depressive symptoms. The study suggests that trauma can have a long-lasting effect on a person's physiology and health.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that doctors missed diagnosing abusive head trauma in young children up to 31.2% of the time. The study highlighted the importance of considering non-specific signs of abuse and performing mindful exams, particularly if a child's face is bruised.
A recent study reveals that up to 8-16% of the male population have experienced childhood sexual abuse, with far-reaching consequences including psychiatric problems, substance abuse, and long-lasting emotional health issues. The researchers call for medical professionals and parents to be more vigilant in addressing this issue.
A team led by Patrick Kochanek has identified specific biochemical markers that may help detect child abuse. Preliminary evidence suggests that victims of abuse often have abnormal levels of quinolinic acid in their cerebrospinal fluid, which could reveal whether a parent is lying about the timing of an injury.
A new study suggests that people can forget instances of childhood sexual abuse through normal means, rather than relying on repression or 'recovered memories'. Events that are not well understood or frequently thought about are more difficult to retrieve from memory. The researchers found that people's views of themselves can be a pow...
Research shows that scarring from emotional abuse is more likely to trigger a battered wife's decision to leave her spouse. The study identifies two types of abusers: Pit Bulls and Cobras, with Cobras being characterized by a history of antisocial behavior and violence outside their marriages.
A decade-long study by USC and NIMH researchers found that girls who were sexually abused as children are more likely to have babies at a younger age, engage in risky sexual behavior, and experience negative thoughts about sex. The study tracked the psychological and behavioral development of 160 girls from adolescence to adulthood.
Studies show that nurse home visit programs have enduring positive effects on mothers' and children's lives years later. The programs resulted in fewer cases of child abuse, less childhood injury, and lower welfare use among participating women.
Nurse home visits have long-lasting positive effects on low-income women's lives and their children's well-being. The studies found that home-visited women had lower rates of child abuse and neglect, fewer pregnancies, and reduced healthcare needs.