Child and Elderly Abuse

Paper Summary:

This paper defines abuse and describes the forms taken by child abuse and elderly abuse. The author provides statistics for child abuse and elder abuse in the U.S., and describes some of the laws that are intended to protect children and the elderly. However, abuse is still rampant due to, among other given reasons, insufficient enforcement of state laws, the vagueness of federal laws, and a reluctance on the part of health care professionals to report suspected cases. The paper concludes with recommendations for reducing cases of abuse by increased consistency in upholding state law, mandatory reporting by health care professionals, and ample protection for the elderly and for victimized children.

From the Paper:

"Children and the elderly are vulnerable members of the society. They are highly dependent on others whom they trust with their lives. Once these caregivers become perpetrators of abuse, both children and the elderly become helpless. It has been the responsibility of the State to ensure that victims are protected from further harm. There has been much emphasis on mandatory reporting of both child and elder abuse. All states advocate that cases suspected of abuse should be reported to higher authority to instigate query. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1996 (CAPTA) provides a concrete definition of child abuse."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Administration for Children and Families. (2006, 10 Feb.). Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act. [Online] Retrieved 19 March 2008 from the Website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/laws_policies/cblaws/capta/index.htm#sec1
• American Bar Association. (June 2007). Summary of Some Key Changes to the Federal Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act (CAPTA). [Online] Retrieved 18 March 2008 from the Website: http://www.abanet.org/child/capta.shtml
• Child Advocate.org. (2004). Corporal Punishment: Facts about United States and International Laws. [Online] Retrieved 18 March 2008 from the Website: http://www.childadvocate.org/1a_laws.htm
• Child Welfare Information Gateway (May 2007). Child Maltreatment 2005: Summary of Key Findings. [Online] Retrieved 17 March 2008 from the Website: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/canstats.cfm
• Jogerst, G. J., Daly, J. M., Brinig, M. F., Dawson, J. D., Schmuch, G. A., and Ingram, J. G. (2003). "Domestic elder abuse and the law." American Journal of Public Health, 93(12): 2131-21136.

More papers on Child and Elderly Abuse:

• Analytical Essay # 103578 : "Elderly Abuse"
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• Analytical Essay # 60781 : "Caregiver Stress"

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