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Simple English definitions for legal terms
battered-child syndrome
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A quick definition of battered-child syndrome:
Battered-child syndrome is when a child has been hurt many times by someone who is supposed to take care of them, like a parent or caregiver. Doctors can tell when the injuries were done on purpose and not by accident. This is a very serious problem and doctors and other people who work with children are required by law to report it to the authorities. The law is there to protect children and make sure they are safe.
The child-abuse and -neglect reporting statute is a law that says certain people, like doctors, teachers, and child-care workers, have to tell the authorities if they think a child is being hurt or not taken care of properly. This law is in place to make sure that children are safe and protected from harm. Every state has this law, and the government provides money to states that follow the rules to keep children safe.
A more thorough explanation:
Battered-child syndrome is a term used to describe a group of medical and psychological conditions that a child may experience when they have suffered ongoing injuries that are not accidental. These injuries are presumed to have been inflicted by someone close to the child, usually a caregiver.
The diagnosis of battered-child syndrome is typically made when a child has distinct bone trauma and persistent tissue damage caused by intentional injury, such as twisting or hitting with violence. The phrase was first used in a 1962 article by Dr. Henry Kempe and his colleagues in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
As a result of research on battered-child syndrome, the Children's Bureau of the United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare drafted a model statute requiring physicians to report serious cases of suspected child abuse.
A child-abuse and -neglect reporting statute is a state law that requires certain people, such as healthcare providers, teachers, and child-care workers, to report suspected child abuse. Every state has adopted some form of reporting statute.
For example, if a teacher notices that a child has unexplained bruises or injuries, they are required by law to report it to the appropriate authorities. This is to ensure that the child receives the necessary help and protection from further harm.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) provides federal funding for all states that implement federal standards in their reporting statutes and defines child maltreatment broadly.
Overall, these laws and definitions are in place to protect children from abuse and neglect and to ensure that they receive the care and support they need to thrive.