CHILD ABUSE AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM
By: Inger J. Sagatun and Leonard Edwards
CHILD ABUSE AND THE LAW
     This book examines the ways in which the legal issues
involving child abuse and neglect are handled by the legal
system. It considers the different legal contexts in which child
abuse can be handled includlng the criminal, juvenile, domestic
relations, and civil courts. The text also treats the legal rules
of each type of proceeding and the way the law has changed to
accommodate the special needs of children. Case studies derived
from appellate decisions identify the most important issues
facing the legal system in relation to child abuse.
     The greatest strength of this text is that it deals with
important legal matters in a readable fashion, easily understood
by college students. It identifies changes in child abuse law
made over the last fifteen years. The book is unique in that it
looks at child abuse from several different legal perspectives.
INTRODUCTION
Not many years ago, child abuse was an insignificant part of the
legal business of our courts. Today, child abuse is a major focus
of court activity. Law enforcement has developed expertise in
child abuse investigation. Social services and child protective
services have staffs in every community which deal daily with
child abuse allegations. Domestic relations courts must deal with
child abuse allegations in divorce and custody litigation
regularly.
     Everyone dealing with child abuse needs knowledge of the
ways in which the law deals with child abuse and its allega-
tions. This book is designed for students in disciplines like
criminal justice and social work who will go on to work in pro-
fessions that require knowledge of child abuse issues. It
addresses the enormous growth in child abuse cases and ways in
which the legal system has attempted to deal with them. The ways
in which our legal system attempts to protect children is the
focus of this text.
A comprehensive examination of the ways in which the legal system
handles cases involving child abuse and the measures taken to
protect both the victim and the accused.
Considers the different ways that children have been treated
within the legal system.
A look at the different roles children can play in the
system - as victims, witnesses, and false accusers.
Introduction
PART 1 CHILD ABUSE IN AMERICA
1. Scope and Historical Overview
     Scope
         How Widespread is Child Abuse?
         Has Chlld Abuse Always Been This Pervasive?
     History
          The Nineteenth Century
          The Twentieth Century
2. Types of Child Abuse and Neglect
     Definitions
     Physical Abuse
          Indicators of Physical Abuse
     Sexual Abuse
          lndicators of Sexual Abuse
     Physical Neglect
          Indicators of Physical Neglect
     Medical Neglect
          Indicators of Medical Neglect
     Emotional Maltreatment
          Indicators of Emotional Maltreatment
3.   Roles of Professionals Involved with Child Abuse and Neglect
     The Mandatory Child Reporting Law
          Who Reports
     The Roles of Child Protective services and Social Services
     The Role of Law Enforcement Agencies
     The Role of Attorneys
          Juvenile Count Proceedings
          Criminal Count Proceedings
          Domestic Relations Court Proceedings
     The Role of Judges
          Juvenile Court Proceedings
          Criminal Court Proceedings
          Domestic Relations Court Proceedings
     Other Professionals Involved with Child Abuse and Neglect
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