Reid, A. Child abuse outpaces rise in personnel. (1990, March 11). The Boston Sunday Globe, pp. 25ff.

OVERVIEW

Children may suffer abuse for any number of reasons. Predominant reasons include parental stress and drug or alcohol abuse by parents.

In Massachusetts, the number of reported cases of child abuse has increased rapidly in the past decade, far more rapidly than the number of social workers hired by the state.

STATISTICS

• 25 child deaths were recorded in January and February 1990. Boston—64% of reported cases were alcohol- or drug-related. Statewide—59% of reported cases were alcohol- or drug-related.
• The emergence of crack and cocaine as a drugs of choice in many households has increased problems with abuse.
• One quarter of babies born exposed to cocaine run the risk of premature birth (compared to the 5-7% risk among general population).
• Drug-exposed infants more susceptible to strokes before birth, genital, intestinal, and urinary tract defects, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

• Babies born to intravenous drug-user mothers are at risk for AIDS.
• Two of the January 1990 infant deaths were AIDS-related.

INTERVENTION

Under "Project Protect" (a program passed by the state of Massachusetts in January, 1990), social workers are asked to investigate homes in which

• Domestic violence and children are present.
• Drug abuse is suspected.
• Transient adults or boyfriends are present.

Social workers will make inquiries to local police whenever two or more of these conditions exist in a home, and medical examinations will be required for every child in a household that comes under investigation.

QUOTATIONS

Tragically, the numbers of deaths are a reflection of the staggering numbers of young children who are born into dangerous environments, homes where it’s just not safe for a child to live.
—Marie Matava, DSS commissioner

When parents don’t have adequate means to survive well—housing, food, money—the child is living in an unhappy situation. But more than that, the stress that a family might feel is often passed on to the child as abuse or neglect. Abuse is an indicator that families are in serious trouble.
—Mary Kay Leonard, commissioner of the Office for Children

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. Why do you think child abuse is prevalent today?
2. Do you feel that child abuse is primarily an alcohol- or drug-related problem?
3. How does child abuse affect youth as they grow older?
4. How can service organizations support families in which abuse is a problem?
5. Do you think drug-using parents should be prosecuted?

IMPLICATIONS

1. If Massachusetts is indicative of the rest of the country and the world, youth workers will be dealing with more children who suffer from abuse.
2. Youth need to know the dangers of drug abuse during pregnancy.
3. Youth need preparation for handling the stresses of daily living so that they will not perpetuate problems of abuse with their own children.
4. Youth workers should be sensitive to the conditions outlined under "Project Protect" (domestic violence, suspected drug abuse, transient adults, or boyfriends).