Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter, Third Edition

Completely updated, this widely acclaimed practical text helps professionals fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities to report child abuse with a high level of confidence, effectiveness, and gratification. The book also serves as a textbook for students in medicine, nursing, social services, and law enforcement as they prepare for a career involving work with children. Written by experts from multiple disciplines, Recognition of Child Abuse for the Mandated Reporter incorporates proven approaches for distinguishing possible abuse from conditions that mimic abuse, conducting necessary interviews and examinations, documenting findings and preparing reports, making appropriate referrals, and joining with other caring professionals to prevent child maltreatment. The comprehensive reorganization of the third edition facilitates easy access to content. This third edition introduces new chapters on the following topics: -The role of child protective services -The risk for maltreatment posed by the Internet as well as community- and home-based services -Prevention efforts at the local and national levels -Play therapy -Psychological and psychiatric responses to abuse -Resources available to professionals caring for abused children