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Victim Compensation in Child Abuse Cases - Problems in Practical Application

NCJ Number
72765
Journal
Victimology Volume: 5 Issue: 1 Dated: (1980) Pages: 57-60
Author(s)
A Grossman
Date Published
1980
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the objective of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Ontario, Canada, in relation to child abuse cases and outlines the procedures that are followed.
Abstract
The principal concerns of the Ontario Board are compensation for pain and suffering and, more importantly, the guarantee that the needs of the child are met. Compensation is provided for the child's future development and for the maintenance that the child might require as a result of the abuse and may not otherwise receive. The following are some of the more complex case considerations: (1) Should an application for compensation be made in every child abuse case even if, for example, such an award might destroy an improved relationship? (2) Who should decide if an application for compensation should be made in such cases? (3) If subrogation is invoked and the offender is the parent and the breadwinner, would the victim's siblings be adversely affected? The article describes the Ontario Board's procedures in child abuse cases and discusses two cases in which each child sustained very serious physical and emotional injuries and was awarded a lump sum of $5,000. The article also discusses the requirements of the 1978 Child Welfare Act to report child abuse and suggests that many more claims will be filed.

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