WASHINGTON -- According to a new study of
individuals who work with children from Maryland, Virginia, and the District
of Columbia, more than two thirds (69 percent) of the respondents believe that
victims of child abuse are likely to perform poorly in school and are likely
to drop out. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of these respondents also anticipate
that sexually abused teenage girls who run away from home are likely to become
involved in prostitution. These findings are based on an exploratory study of
Washington, D.C.-area metropolitan service providers who deal daily with
children and families.
The findings on practitioners' perspectives on the alarming consequences
of child victimization were released last month by the Center for Child Protection
and Family Support at a one-day regional conference on child victimization
designed to help parents, professionals, and policymakers understand the scope
and depth of child sexual abuse and to develop effective strategies for
helping its victims.
More than 85 percent of the professionals demonstrated an
understanding of prevention strategies for child maltreatment, though these
are often complex situations that providers may be unsure about how to proceed
when they recognize symptoms of maltreatment, the study found. In addressing
child abuse prevention, 81 percent of the respondents in the study indicated the
community could do more to support families in stress. Less than 44 percent were
confident about the effectiveness of child protection agencies in protecting
vulnerable children.
The Center, in partnership with McFarland and Associates, an independent
research firm based in Silver Spring, Md., conducted the exploratory study of
Washington, D.C.-area providers based on a perceived need to clarify the
realities and dispel the myths of child victimization and to serve as the
basis for discussion at the regional conference. The study provided an
examination of whether providers who work with children and families have a
firm understanding of the scope of childhood victimization issues, and are
able to communicate effective messages to parents about safety and protection
of children and adolescents.
The methodology for the Center's study involved a multi-disciplined cross
section of professionals, parents and youth participating in focus groups and
telephone interviews with professionals who deal with child victimization, and
responses to a short survey. Fifty-five study participants were chosen (25 percent
male, 75 percent female), ranging from a 15-year-old youth peer counselor to a career
healthcare provider. The participants were from the District of Columbia,
Maryland (Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's Counties), and Virginia
(Fairfax and Arlington Counties).
The survey sample was diverse across a range of measures, including
ethnic/cultural backgrounds, gender, cross-jurisdictional practice issues,
professional discipline and level of expertise. Although the level of
education varied, most (75 percent) reported having a bachelor's degree or higher.
Respondents represented public agencies, private non-profit organizations,
business, and academic institutions. The approach to the conclusions consisted
of a review of existing data from professional literature integrated with
current data obtained through the focus groups and interviews.
Joyce N. Thomas, president and co-founder of the Center based in
Washington, D.C., said, "To deal effectively with child abuse problems, we
thought it was essential to develop a greater understanding of its scope and
consequences on a local level. Our study focused on the experiences,
understanding, and recommendations of individuals who intervene and provide
health care, community-based social services, and mental health, and judicial
services to children and families in the Washington metropolitan area."
When asked about the effects of child sexual abuse on toddlers and pre-
school children, almost all (94 percent) the practitioners correctly identified
symptoms presented in interview questions. Fewer (47 percent) showed a clear
understanding about the consequences to children witnessing violence.
Practitioners were able to recognize the various forms of child
maltreatment, but in questionable or complex scenarios, less than a third had
a clear understanding on how to proceed. Seventy-six percent recognized that
children with disabilities seldom get reported to authorities for alleged
child victimization, while 72 percent recognized that children living in residential
group homes or foster care are more likely to be victims of abuse. Also,
three-fourths of the practitioners indicated that parental substance abuse
most often is a major contributing factor in reports of child abuse.
When it comes to strategies for handling certain situations that have
become more prevalent, 57 percent of practitioners felt comfortable counseling a new
parent on preventing shaken child syndrome, while 75 percent indicated they would be
comfortable counseling parents of pre-teen children about Internet safety. In
response to questions on "teen dating violence," 70 percent of the practitioners
recognize the importance of involving authorities, even if the adolescent is
minimizing the situation.
Based on the study results and the Center's work with child victims it is
making several recommendations to parents, practitioners and policy makers.
These include:
* Increase public awareness about the problem of child victimization in
order to break the cycle and address the myths and gaps that challenge
our ability to better serve children and families.
* Develop policies and public education to better inform parents, young
children and adolescents about the complex problem of child sexual
abuse, particularly as it relates to Internet crimes, the dangers of
child pornography, statutory rape and other forms of sexual
exploitation.
* Require continuing education for all practitioners who work with
children and families. This training, which should be linked to licenses
and professional certification requirements, must specifically address
prevention, intervention and treatment strategies.
* Organize a regional forum to document and monitor the trends and needs
of children and families in the Washington metropolitan area relating to
child abuse and neglect cases.
"We all have the responsibility to protect our children against abuse,"
Thomas said. "Every child deserves a childhood that is free from abuse and
neglect."
The Center for Child Protection and Family Support of Washington, D.C. works
to ensure all children are given the opportunity to mature and develop within
a family free of maltreatment, and in a community that nurtures and protects
them from violence. Prevention, education, early intervention, and mental
health treatments are the focal point of the Center's approach for working
with child victims and their families.
Source: The Center for Child Protection and Family Support
