Child as a victim of crime - Parent perspective on the practices of authorities

Objectives This study aims to find out how parents see and experience the multiprofessional investigation process of a suspicion of sexual or physical abuse of their child and the strengths and weaknesses of the process from... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives

This study aims to find out how parents see and experience the multiprofessional investigation process of a suspicion of sexual or physical abuse of their child and the strengths and weaknesses of the process from their point of view. There is a lack of research concerning investigations’ impact on family life.

In Finland, legislation, e.g. mandatory reporting directly to police, emphasizes child’s right to be safe from all kind of physical abuse. Consequently, this can lead to growing numbers of abuse cases investigated by police. There is a quite unique system of Child Forensic Units at the five University Hospitals to help police in investigating a child sexual or physical abuse case. Usually police asks for help when child is young or there are some other special needs either in childs’ development or in the whole case. In these situations there are many different authorities working around the family: at least police, child welfare and a multiprofessional team in a Child Forensic Unit.

According to previous research authorities can vary a lot when making decisions concerning suspected child abuse. They should and they try to act according to a childs’ best interest, but this definition in practice is not similar or shared between different authorities, e.g. police or social workers. Also research shows that people experience justice when they have the feeling of being heard and treated properly during the process. How people are treated in process led by authorities has impact on family life, so it is not insignificant in which way these processes are organized. The main concepts of this study are client oriented approach and procedural justice in government of public affairs.


Methods

Research data for this PhD study is gathered via narrative interviews and writings followed by semi-structured question forms if needed. Data is nationwide covering all of these five Child Forensic Units. Methods for analyzing the data are still under planning.

Parents of (small) children are asked to tell their experiences, thoughts and feelings about practices of authorities when there is an investigation of child sexual or physical abuse and police has asked help from a Child Forensic Unit. Parent or other adult who is taking care of a child can be either suspect of a crime or a concerned party.


Expected Results

Research aims to show, what kind of consequences there are to family life, when all child abuse cases are considered as a crime and investigated by police and in some cases with a help of a Child Forensic Unit. Parents are expected to take care of the child at the same time when there is a criminal investigation going on and other authorities including child welfare are interested in the situation as well. There are lot of changes coming up in the whole area of child and family practices including physical abuse investigations in Finland during the next couple of years. Parents’ views should be considered when evaluating and improving existing legislation, policy and practices.