title: Classification of child abuse by motive and degree rather than type of injury.
abstract: The protection of children may be enhanced if ill treatment is classified by motive and degree rather than by type of injury. Four categories are proposed: A, abuse: premeditated ill treatment undertaken for gain by disturbed, dangerous, and manipulative individuals; B, active ill treatment: impulsively undertaken because of socioeconomic pressures, lack of education, resources, and support, or mental illnesses; C, universal mild ill treatment: behaviour undertaken by all normal caring parents in all societies; and D, neglect: defined here as an unintentional failure to supply the child's needs. Such a classification could clarify the procedures for investigation and protection, and support the creation of a Special Interagency Taskforce on Criminal Abuse (SITCA) for those suspected of abuse (category A).
authors.affiliation: Child Advocacy International, UK. davids@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Southall
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Samuels
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Golden
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000145:classification* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000639:trends; D003415:Crime; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology