title: child abuse: historical precedent and legal ramifications.
abstract: Although social workers are actively involved in helping parents and children in child abuse cases, the legal profession and the courts currently establish and influence social policies regarding such abuse. For social workers not trained in law, this article highlights the historical background of child abuse, reviews cases of child abuse and neglect that have set legal precedent, and discusses the legal requirement that makes reporting suspected cases of child abuse mandatory.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D002651:Child Advocacy / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012384:Rome; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States