Home / Publications / NCJRS Abstract

PUBLICATIONS

Stay Informed
Register with NCJRS to receive NCJRS's biweekly e-newsletter JUSTINFO and additional periodic emails from NCJRS and the NCJRS federal sponsors that highlight the latest research published or sponsored by the Office of Justice Programs.

NCJRS Abstract

The document referenced below is part of the NCJRS Virtual Library collection. To conduct further searches of the collection, visit the Virtual Library. See the Obtain Documents page for direction on how to access resources online, via mail, through interlibrary loans, or in a local library.

NCJ Number:	114534

Title:	Which Child Abuse and Neglect Cases Require Court Involvement?

Journal:	State Court Journal Volume:12 Issue:4 Dated:(Fall 1988) Pages:13-16

Author(s):	V E Flango

Date Published:	1988

Page Count:	4

Sponsoring Agency:	National Institute of Justice/ Rockville, MD 20849

Sale Source:	National Institute of Justice/ NCJRS paper reproduction Box 6000, Dept F Rockville, MD 20849 United States of America

Type:	Report (Study/Research)

Language:	English

Country:	United States of America

Annotation:	All States require certain professionals to report suspected child abuse and neglect to central registries. Of every 100 reports, at least 14 require court involvement.

Abstract:	This study examined the characteristics of reports most likely to require court involvement using data from 1984 and 23 States that report court action. For 337,726 reports, no services were provided. For 113,096 reports, noncourt services were provided; while court services were provided for 43,594 reports. An examination of the type of injury associated with service provision indicates that children harmed by major physical injuries, sexual maltreatment, and other maltreatment were more likely to receive services than those harmed by minor injuries or neglect. Court services were most likely to be provided in cases involving sexual abuse and in cases where the severity of the physical injury is unspecified. Surprisingly, court action was least likely in cases involving major or minor physical injuries. Service provision was not a function of victim age or sex, but services were more likely to be provided to black than to white or Hispanic children. Neither victim age, race, nor sex was a good indicator of court involvement. Finally, services were more likely to be provided when reports were made by medical professionals and least likely when made by laypersons or anonymously. Court involvement was most likely when the report was by law enforcement personnel. 6 figures and 6 notes.

Main Term(s):	Child abuse and neglect hearings

Index Term(s):	Child abuse reporting



	To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=114534

*A link to the full-text document is provided whenever possible. For documents not available online, a link to the publisher's website is provided. Tell us how you use the NCJRS Library and Abstracts Database - send us your feedback.

PUBLICATIONS

NCJRS Abstract

Find in a Library