Recognition and Management of Child Abuse in a Children's Hospital

Abstract

After a brief description of agencies and institutions concerned with child abuse in the Federal Republic of Germany, the approach to hospital-based management of child abuse used at the von Haunersche Children's Hospital of the University of Munich is outlined. This approach involves the recognition and management of child abuse within the paediatric hospital and, in addition, an attempt to extend the policy of a helping approach to the community via a working group with participants from all relevant institutions. At the hospital, the physician and hospital social worker work with the parents and offer them support, with the parents participating on a voluntary basis. A case conference is held with the physician, the social worker and representatives of all community agencies that have been involved with the family in the past. The current situation is assessed and a treatment plan developed. Data are presented on 34 children who were hospitalized during a three-year period from 1979 to 1982 for child abuse and neglect. Finally, the composition and work of the Working Group on Child Abuse in Munich are described. Since 1980 representatives of all agencies and institutions concerned have met regularly, with the long-term goal being development of a common approach for recognition and management of child abuse. The list of references includes the major publications in German.