Running Head: Policy Alternative Paper 1

Running Head: Policy Alternative Paper

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Abstract: This paper will cover child abuse and a new policy that might redeem the problem that is identified as a current social concern. Child abuse is physical, emotional and sexual neglect of a child or children. The topics that will be covered are policies that are similar in Sweden, a policy alternative, feasibility of alternative, how the policy meets policy goals, how one would implement the new alternative, and the personal feelings about the policy alternative. The paper will show how child abuse is still a growing worldwide concern. The paper will show how the alternative can create positive outcomes for victims/survivors of child abuse.

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Policy of another Country: The concern of Child Abuse is a growing concern around the world. Child abuse is the physical, emotional, or sexual maltreatment or neglect of a child or children. When looking at another country and child abuse an article called Physical child abuse in Sweden: A study of police reports states that During 1986-1996, a period when alarm was being raised about an increased number of police reports on physical child abuse. (Lindell, C., & Svedin, C.G., 2001, pg. 150) Seeing a statement of such from another country proves how much of a growing concern child abuse is. The same article states that On a social level legislation, tradition and culture play important roles when it comes to parental use of violence towards children. Violent acts that are restricted in one country are considered parental rights in another (Lindell, C., & Svedin, C.G., 2001, pg. 150). Its evident that other countries have different customs however none is an excuse for abuse. The article Physical child abuse in Sweden states On an individual level, some parents ignore legislation and act in a way outside what is culturally excepted. Others struck by poverty, unemployment, homelessness and hunger may unwillingly put their children through what most western societies would consider to be physical child abuse (Lindell, C., & Svedin, C.G., 2001, pg. 150). However, the article then states Sweden has been a leading country when it comes to legislative action against various forms of violence towards children. One example is the Swedish anti- spanking law, which was introduced in 1979, as an advisory effort to change social attitudes on violence towards children (Lindell, C., & Svedin, C.G., 2001, pg.150). The article proceeds to state According to the Swedish National Crime Prevention Council, there has been a rapid increase in the number of police reports of physical child abuse during the 1990s. Whether it has to do with an actual rise in the number of physically abused children, an increased awareness of and willingness to report physical child abuse or a

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combination of both is not known. (Lindell, C., & Svedin, C.G., 2001, pg. 150-151) Since the police are not sure what has caused the increase of abuse it goes to show the growing concern. Taking a look at some historical background of child abuse we find an article Chilling Child Abuse Reporting: Rethinking the CAPTA Amendments, which states, The first reported criminal cases involving child abuse in the United States date back to the late 1600s, but no documented civil child protection cases appeared until 1874. The case moved the petitioner to establish the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This organization and similar organizations were instrumental in calling attention to the maltreatment of children during the late nineteenth century, in bringing criminal complaints against perpetrators, and in placing thousands of neglected children in institutional care (Trost, 1998, pg.189). When taking another look at The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, also known as CAPTA, we remember that it states The basis for government's intervention in child maltreatment is grounded in the concept of parens patriaea legal term that asserts that government has a role in protecting the interests of children and in intervening when parents fail to provide proper care. Beginning in the late 19th century, States and local jurisdictions started initiating mechanisms to assist and protect children (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010, p.3). To refresh ourselves in the act we remember that there are five approaches in the act that allow us to work on solving the social concern of child abuse. Those five approaches are: a) integrates the work of social service, legal, health, mental health, domestic violence services, education, and substance abuse agencies and community-based organizations (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010,p.5); Which combines the type of services for clients. Next, b) Strengthens coordination among all levels of government, and with private agencies, civic, religious, and professional organizations, and individual volunteers; c) emphasizes the need for

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abuse and neglect prevention, assessment, investigation, and treatment at the neighborhood level ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010, p.5); With emphasizing the need for prevention, more resources can becomes available for use. The last two approaches, d) recognizes the need for properly trained staff with the qualifications needed to carry out their child protection duties; and e) recognizes the diversity of ethnic, cultural, and religious beliefs and traditions that may impact child rearing patterns, while not allowing the differences in those beliefs and traditions to enable abuse of neglect (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2010, p.5). We can see here how the act allows for the government to step in and create a guide of protection for the children. When looking at the history of Sweden before the Anti-Spanking Law came about, Saving the Children states that It was self-evident that parents and other fosterers had the right to beat their children. About 150 years ago in Sweden, a husband had the right to chastise his wife, his servants and his children and it was only if they were beaten to death that he could be prosecuted and condemned to punishment (pg.3). This shows that Sweden needed to change its law against child abuse but it wasnt until the 20th century that the idea of change began to spread. Attitudes and legislation started to change at the beginning of the 20th century and the general spread of democracy through society influenced a new attitude on how children should be brought up. At the same time the conception of the child as an independent individual entitled to its own rights was becoming increasingly apparent (Save The Children, pg. 3-4). With the idea of change brewing in Sweden more ideas came to sprout for the Anti-Spanking Law. In 1997, Save the Children states The Childrens Rights Committee carried out an investigation to find out how many people knew that parents no longer had the right to chastise their children, according to the 1996 Parental Code. The results of the investigation was disappointing. People

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in general were unaware of the existing law (pg. 5). It wasnt until 1979 that the bill was passed. In 1979 the bill was passed by the Riksdag with 259 MPs voting for the 6 MPs voting against (Save The Children, pg. 7). Both the Anti-Spanking Law and The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act have implemented safety plans for the children in their country. Each act has been thought out and worked on for years trying new ways to prevent child abuse. Unfortunately, both of the acts have flaws in which prevents the safety of the children. Policy Alternative: It is evident that both The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and The AntiSpanking Law of Sweden both have safety laws for children set up however, both countries still have ratings of child abuse which raises a concern. Wells, Stein, Fluke, & Downing (1989) states that, The recent concern with abuse in out-of-home care has prompted several states to make an effort to include reports of abuse in such settings as Child Protective Services (CPS) cases, although many states have opted to refer such reports to the police (Wells, Stein, Fluke, & Downing, 1989, pg.45). It is unclear as to how we can prevent other caregivers, such as nannies, teachers, and/or childcare facilities from causing abuse. An alternative policy has been created to help with the flaws in those laws. The Caregiver Act allows for better safety of the children beyond a background check. This act would center on a class that would need to be taken. The course would last anywhere from six to eight weeks and would cover information on updated laws and safety plans for children. Just like CPR and First Aid training the class would need to be taken every two years. Ideally, high schools, colleges and other children agencies would offer classes on weeknights and weekends. Since CPR and First Aid training are highly recommended when working with children training for CPR and First Aid would also be offered with the class extending the class another four weeks. Costs for said class would vary depending on weather

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the person taking the class elects to take it with CPR and First Aid training. The change for this act would need to occur on a federal level. In the final analysis, most laws are in compliance with the federal statute that requires that all reports of child abuse and neglect be investigated (Child Abuse Prevention & Treatment Act, 1974). However, Pennsylvanias use of serious injury as a prerequisite for CPS involvement is one example of a statute that is out of compliance with federal law, and removes Pennsylvania from eligibility for federal funds derived from the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (Wells, Stein, Fluke, & Downing, 1989, p.45). The article then proceeds to state Eligibility for these funds is contingent on 10 criteria, two of which focus on the definition of abuse and neglect and the conduct of prompt investigations upon the receipt of a report. Compliance with this law is a critical consideration, then, in any discussion of screening laws and policies (Wells, Stein, Fluke, & Downing, 1989, pg.45). Since the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act is based on a federal level, it would only make sense to have The Caregiver Act be based on the federal level as well. This will allow the act to possibly benefit from funds. Feasibility of Alternative: The Caregiver Act would be a feasible policy the United States as well as Sweden. The act would also be feasible for other countries that are struggling with the issues of child abuse. The idea of having a new course that will update caregivers on updated laws and safety planning for children will allow for the world to see how important it is to find a suitable and caring caregiver. The new policy is a completely feasible task. With technology on the rise in all parts of the world, getting the word out on the new policy wouldnt be such a hard task. Word travels fast now a days and with the increase of people needing jobs this could be a great way in providing more as well as getting the word of the new policy out in the universe. With more jobs

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being created the better the economic standing gets, which would ideally allow for more funding from the federal level in each state. Policy Meet Policy Goals: The Caregiver Act has the potential to help decrease the number of child abuse reports, it would help create peace for children and the current social problem worldwide. The Caregiver Act will help bring social equality to the children who have been denied it by being abused. In todays complex world, there remains a critical need for social work education regarding ethical practice. While Chris Beckett and Andrew Maynard do not claim to offer new insights into the value and ethics of social work, they recognize the difficult and contested position that social work as a profession occupies in society, and offer some highly practical approaches to assist students in clarifying the values on which many ethical challenges are based (Bushfield, 2006, pg.305-306). The social work values and ethics that are implemented in this policy include accountability, affection, justice, integrity, and honesty. Implement Alternative: Domestic laws have been revised and child-friendly systems, such as Councils and Commissions, have been created. In some countries, such as Kenya and Uganda, comprehensive Children Acts now exist and policies on children and young people have been formulated. Childrens parliaments, too, are common practice in many countries on the continent. Governments are working to improve the effectiveness of their departments that deal with childrens issues, and many have undertaken investigations into the problems that affect children (Onyango & Lynch, 2006, pg.693). The same idea can be applied to implementing the Caregiver Act. To implement this policy, information will be sent to each child agency as well as to the creators of the websites like Care.com and Sittercity.com. Care.com and Sittercity.com are

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websites that are used to help families find childcare. Anyone who seeks childcare sets up an account and profile giving a description of the job they are looking to fill. Then anyone who is seeking to be a caregiver will also set up an account and profile listing their qualifications, many attach a personal resume. In order to be a caregiver on the website one must complete a background check and provide references. Once the person looking to fill a job posts their job the person seeking to be a caregiver may apply and from their interviews take place and a job becomes filled once the appropriate and suitable caregiver is found. For The Caregiver Act, the same idea would apply. The creators of these websites will need to add the class into their mandatory section of being able to have the class. The website will offer a section for people to sign up for the class at selected high schools, colleges and agencies. Websites like these are capable of being available worldwide which would allow for the act to be feasible in other countries as well. Personal Feeling: Personally, the idea of young children being in a great deal of pain whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally pains the heart. The Caregiver Act is the ideal situation to prevent child abuse. It would allow for parents to have less concerns when hiring a caregiver. With child abuse become more a growing concern it makes the idea of hiring caregivers extremely scary. Having an act that allows for one to be sure of the person they are hiring will allow for the nerves of parents to lessen. The Caregiver Act would be a step in the right direction for reducing child abuse. Finally, the act will allow for more safety worldwide.

Conclusion:

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We realize that flaws in laws may come about but its how one goes about fixing those flaws that matter. When remembering back to Swedens anti-spanking law and CAPTA we noticed many positive and negative attributes to the law, however when adding in what The Caregiver Act can do we see more of the flaws diminish and more positive results increasing. Having a new policy in act can allow for the reports of child abuse to decrease which allows for the social concern to become less of a concern.

Running Head: Policy Alternative Paper 11 References

Bushfield , S. (2006). Values & Ethics in Social Work: An Introduction, 305-306. Lindell, C., & Svedin, C. G. (2001). Physical Child Abuse: A study of police reports between 196 and 1996, 150-157. Onyango, P., & Lynch, M. A. (2006). Implementing the right to child protection:a challenge for developing countries, 693-694. Save the Children (n.d.). The First Anti-Spanking Law in the World. Historical Background to Swedish Legislation, 12. Trost, C. T. (1998). Chilling Child Abse Reporting: Rethinking the CAPTA amendments, 183-215. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010). The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Wells, S. J., Stein, T. J., Fluke, J., & Downing, J. (1989). Briefly Stated. Screening in Child Protective Services, 45-48.