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What Can We Do About Child Abuse?

NCJ Number
190193
Author(s)
John Cornyn
Date Published
1999
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This video contains an address by the Texas Attorney General on recognizing, reporting, and treating child abuse.
Abstract
Child abuse is defined as "an act or omission that endangers a child's physical, mental or emotional health and development." The video shows reenactments of physical and sexual child abuse incidents, with examples of incorrect responses by adults and responses that can be helpful and comforting to the young victim. The three scenarios demonstrate helpful responses and actions by a health care worker, an investigating police officer, and a teacher. The video reminds adults not to prompt responses or put words in a child's mouth, but rather to use open-ended questions and listen carefully to his or her version of what happened. Under Texas law, the first person the child confides in is called an "outcry witness" and may be called as a witness in legal proceedings. Texas law also requires that incidents of suspected child abuse be reported to the authorities (e.g., police, Department of Protective and Regulatory Services) within 48 hours. The video also discusses the Texas Crime Victims' Compensation Act, which pays for medical expenses and counseling for the child as well as counseling for the victim's family. The video includes sources for further information on preventing and treating child abuse.