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Khairallah 1
Child Abuse, Neglect and Maltreatment
Sophia Khairallah
Criminal Justice 316-01 Victimology
Professor Tracy Crump
November 3, 2017
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Introduction
Child abuse refers to the failure to act or the maltreatment and neglecting of children
under the age of 18 years by the parents or caregivers. It encompasses physical, emotional, and
commercial exploitation among others, which may result in health and social developmental
complications. Child neglect refers to the inability of a child to get access to basic needs such as
food, shelter, and emotional comfort. Majority of the countries have reported cases of child
maltreatment, which have a long-term impact on the development of the child. The different
cases and estimates will vary from one region to the other depending on the research method
used. Even though the majority of the countries have enacted the Federal Child Abuse
Prevention and Treatment Act, there are still increased cases of child abuse, neglect, and
maltreatment. Therefore, the study will be organized under different titles; ideas addressing the
needs of victims, the rise of victimology, evaluation of empirical data, victim’s contribution to
crime, a critique of criminal justice system’s response to victimization, approach to creating a
holistic plan for victim restitution, and summary of the discussion.
1. Five Major Ideas that Address the Needs of Victims of Crime
The study will discuss the different ideas that address the needs of children.
a. Family helps in the acquisition of knowledge and parenting skills essential for
effective nurturing of the children and reduces the crime (Lundahl et al., 2006).
b. Health ensures that children have access to the quality nutrition and quality
healthcare services. This idea improves the health of children by enhancing
community support and education.
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c. Another idea addressing needs of children is basic needs. The purpose of this
order facilitates in-kind support of commodities to the children who lack them.
d. Another idea is education that facilitates the ability of children to attain their
maximum potential and learn new concepts.
e. Also, housing idea is essential in addressing the needs of children. Poor quality
and overcrowding are the major causes of injuries and health problems among
children (Barth, 2009).
2. Analyzing the Rise of Victimology
a. The study will define the concept and give a brief explanation of the origin of
victimology.
b. The study will also consider the past, present, and future aspects of the concept of
victimology.
c. Also, the research will discuss the pioneers and contributors to victimology
concept including Marvin Wolfgang, Hans von Hentig, Stephen Schafer, and
Benjamin Mendelsohn.
d. Furthermore, the study will discuss the Golden Age, Dark Age, and Reemergence
of the Victim of victimology (Ferguson & Turvey, 2009).
3. Evaluate Empirical Data
a. Maintain objective tone when evaluating empirical data from other researchers.
b. Consider the limitations of the empirical data as epistemological limitations.
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c. Provide a fair assessment of other studies done on the topic of child abuse,
neglect, and maltreatment.
d. Use of pre-determined questions that the different sections of the articles should
answer.
4. Victim’s Contribution to Crime
a. Attributes in children may increase the vulnerability of child maltreatment.
b. Substance abuse,
c. The presence of physical or developmental disabilities,
d. The poor relationship between the child and parents, and the age of the child
(Glaser, 2000).
5. Criminal Justice System’s Response to Victimization
a. Inadequate security due to increased fears and uncertainties by victims engaged in
the case.
b.
Criminal justice does not have specialist personnel in the field of victimization to
deal with the unique cases.
c. Furthermore, cases in criminal justice system take a long period of time and are
not prioritized by prosecutors.
d. Victims of victimization do not share their cases because of lack of
empowerment.
e. Also, law enforcement officers do not conduct thorough investigations on
incidences of victimization (Backstrom, 2015).
6. Approach to Creating Holistic Plan for Victim Restitution
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a. The historical perspectives, theories, and the different approaches that define the
needs of victims in the crime.
b.
The stakeholders in crime victimization.
c. The relationship between victimology and social justice.
d. The role of criminal justice system such as the methods used in scene
investigation, collecting evidence, and mechanisms to preserve it (Hopkins et al.,
2004).
7. Summary of Conclusion
a. Child abuse concept is complex
b. Majority of persons do not reports child maltreatment cases
c. Reforms are necessary to promote efficiency in criminal justice systems
Conclusion
The study concludes that the complexity of child abuse and maltreatment subject has
made it difficult for scholars and researchers to have uniform data on the subject. Despite the
efforts by the different government agencies to address this problem, majority of the people do
not report the cases. Also, reforms in criminal justice systems are essential in enhancing
effectiveness when dealing with child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment.
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References
Backstrom, J. C. (2015). Improving the Criminal Justice System’s Response to Victimization of
Persons with Disabilities. Prosecutor, Journal of the National District Attorneys
Association, 49(2), 24-31.
Barth, R. P. (2009). Preventing child abuse and neglect with parent training: Evidence and
opportunities. The Future of Children, 19(2), 95-118.
Ferguson, C., & Turvey, B. E. (2009). Victimology: a brief history with an introduction to
forensic victimology. B. Turvey & W. Petherick (Coords.), Forensic victimology:
examining violent crime victims in investigative and legal contexts, 1-32.
Glaser, D. (2000). Child abuse and neglect and the brain—a review. The Journal of Child
Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 41(1), 97-116.
Hopkins, C. Q., Koss, M. P., & Bachar, K. J. (2004). Applying restorative justice to ongoing
intimate violence: Problems and possibilities. . Louis U. Pub. L. Rev., 23, 289.
Lundahl, B. W., Nimer, J., & Parsons, B. (2006). Preventing child abuse: A meta-analysis of
parent training programs. Research on Social Work Practice, 16(3), 251-262.