1999 Comprehensive Community Assessment
Thursday, October 21, 1999
Issue to be studied: “Child abuse and neglect”
Definition of terms: “Child abuse and neglect is a child under age 18 who suffers physical or mental injuries due to either the intentional act or omission of responsibility of a parent, guardian, custodian or other adult”.
Contributing Causes:
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Ø Parental frustration Ø Lack of parenting education/parenting skills Ø Substance abuse Ø Inter-generational learning Ø Lack of family supports Ø Financial stress Ø Family crises Ø Mental illness |
Ø Spouse abuse Ø System failure – kids being repeatedly abused/neglected Ø Some parents too young to be having children Ø Single parent families Ø Lack of safe child care Ø Lack of supervision Ø Parents not taking responsibility for child’s protection |
Community/People
Outcomes:
Ø Increased awareness of community resources
Ø Educated parents
Ø Reduced incidence of child abuse and neglect
Ø More community responsibility for problem
Ø More parental responsibility for safeguarding children
Ø Reduction in re-occurrence of abuse/neglect
Ø Increase average age of first-time mothers
Focus Groups:
Ø Perpetrators (adults) – 2 groups
Ø Foster Parents (adults) – 2 groups
Ø Abuse Victims (adults – 18-25 and above) – females – 2 groups
Ø Abuse Victims (adults – 18-25 and above) – males – 2 groups
Information to be
solicited from participants:
Victims:
Ø Nature of abuse
Ø Age at time of abuse
Ø When did they realize it was abuse?
Ø Intervention history
Ø What worked in intervention?
Ø How and when did they tell others about the abuse (reporting)?
Ø How did it affect them socially and academically?
Ø What could have been done differently to make they response system better?
Perpetrators:
Ø Was the abuse learned from family history?
Ø Are they repentant for their acts? Or just sorry they got caught?
Ø Why did the abuse occur?
Ø Did they feel they were in control? Did they know it was wrong at the time?
Ø Was alcohol or other drugs involved?
Ø Were they aware of their actions while the abuse was occurring?
Ø Did they try to get some help?
Ø What interventions worked?
Ø Were they aware of the various interventions?
Foster Parents:
Ø Stories about the children and the impact on children
Ø Contrast with non-abused children in foster home
Ø Impact of abuse on siblings
Ø Emotional/educational impact of leaving home/family
Ø Nature of interaction with community while in foster home
Ø Assessment of interventions to help
Ø Identification of common factors or trends
Ø Why did they become foster parents?
Ø Does the child communicate freely about emotions?
Participant Selection
Method:
Ø Work with public and private schools to send out notices to targeted target groups inviting their participation. Develop safeguards to protect anonymity and confidentiality.
Ø Recruit victims through agencies and self-help support groups.
Ø Recruit foster parents through DFC
Ø Recruit perpetrators through DFC and courts
Committee Participants:
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John Browning (Mental Health Center) Margaret Conway (U of E) Nancy Seiben (Deaconess) Chris Rutledge (Civitas Bank) Lennie McDaniel (United Fidelity Bank) Lynn Hert (Deaconess) Cindy Cusler (American Red Cross) Buff Wallace Fallen (Villages) Kevin Gibson (Legal Aid) Beth Koleszar (ARK Nursery) Erin Ramsey (4C) Martha Halterman (Catholic Charities) Tricia Lavore (Casino Aztar) Mary Topper (Health Dept.) Jackie Pierce (Mulberry Center) Patti Elsperman (Blind Assoc.) |
Terri Grannan (Girl Scouts) Vic Doty (Harwood Middle School) Jeff Pickett (Boy Scouts) Sr. Catherine Marie Lowe (St. Vincent Day Care) Lois Robinson (Goodwill) Jack Kirwer (St. Anthony Center Family Life) Joan Scott (CAPE) Elizabeth Frazier (CAPE) James Granger (CAPE) Cathie Bennett (CAPE) Tim Baker (IMPACT Ministries) Tomelle Tornatta (YMCA) Calvin Turnley (EHA) Al Corbett (Community Volunteer) Steve Crow (United Steelworkers Local 104) Pat Pricher (Villages of Evansville) |
Focus
Group Target Demographics
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Child Abuse/Neglect: |
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1-2)
Victims -- Females |
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White
Est. |
Black
Est. |
White |
Black |
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(18-25 yrs. Old) |
Pop.
Est. %[1] |
%[2] |
% |
Targets |
Targets |
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Neglect Victims |
52.0% |
82.5% |
17.5% |
6 |
1 |
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Abuse Victims |
48.0% |
82.5% |
17.5% |
6 |
1 |
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3-4)
Victims -- Males |
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White
Est. |
Black
Est. |
White |
Black |
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(18-25 yrs. Old) |
Pop.
Est. % |
% |
% |
Targets |
Targets |
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Neglect Victims |
52.0% |
82.5% |
17.5% |
6 |
1 |
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Abuse Victims |
48.0% |
82.5% |
17.5% |
6 |
1 |
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5-6)
Perpetrators (adults) |
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Under
Age |
Over
Age |
Under
Age |
Over
Age |
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Pop.
Est. %[3] |
40 Est. %3
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40 Est. % |
40
Targets |
40
Targets |
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Females |
25.0% |
80.0% |
20.0% |
3 |
1 |
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Males |
75.0% |
80.0% |
20.0% |
8 |
2 |
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7-8)
Foster Parents |
No Demographics (14 total participants) |
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