Description
Book SynopsisWhilst there may be universal agreement that ''something must be done'' about child abuse, there is much less clarity about what qualifies as child abuse and what should be done about it. Policy makers often invoke the law at times of crisis which are seen to demand a societal response. The presence of legislation on the statute book or the creation of rules and protocols which professionals must follow is one socially acceptable sign that the problem has been recognised and that an effective response has been implemented. In the last two decades of the twentieth century, the numerous controversies about the response of public agencies and the courts to allegations of child abuse, as well as campaigns to reform the treatment of child witnesses in adversarial trial systems, provided the impetus for legal reform in both criminal and civil proceedings in England and Wales. These legal initiatives were ad hoc responses to specific problems, and not part of a coherent and integrated program
Trade ReviewThis book will be invaluable for anyone working in any area of academic law related to child abuse, but will also be of interest to those in practice in this tricky area. Hoyano and Keenan have made a truly outstanding contribution to the literature on this important topic, and I truly recommend their book most warmly. * Robert H. George, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 23, 2009 *
...The coverage of case law and range of references clarifies the legislative framework surrounding child abuse. This publication will be helpful for those studying criminal and civil law particularly where the focus is on issues relating to safeguarding. In addition the book will prove useful for social work practitioners and those practitioners within integrated teams who work extensively with children and young people. * Daryl Dugdale, Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, Vol. 31, No. 1 *
Judges have described this as a "masterly book on a hugely important subject", "an inspiring achievement" and "an invaluable source of ideas and law, theory and practice", not only for practitioner and academic but for policy makers and indeed for all concerned with reform and administration of the law. The panel of judges believes that the book will indeed make an outstanding contribution to the formation and understanding of legal policy and thus to the administration of law in this country. They unanimously agree that, of all the fine entries, this book most clearly satisfies the criteria laid down for the award of the prize.' * Judges of the Inner Temple Book Prize 2008 *
This impressive tome on child abuse, 1,000 pages long, is an impressive exposition of the subject * Sally Rammage *
This Ranks as a major achievement. * European Tort Law *
Table of ContentsAN OVERVIEW OF THIS BOOK ; PART I: THEMES & QUESTIONS ; 1. INTRODUCTION ; ART II: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR ADJUDICATING ALLEGATIONS ; 2. FAMILY LAW ; 3. LIABILITY IN CRIMINAL LAW ; 4. LIABILITY IN TORT AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAW ; PART III : THE INQUIRY PROCESS ; 5. INVESTIGATING AND EVALUATING ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE ; PART IV: ADJUDICATION OF THE ALLEGATION ; 6. INTRODUCTION: THEMES AND INFLUENCES ; 7. ACCESS TO EVIDENCE ; 8. THE CHILD WITNESS ; 9. TESTING THE CREDIBILITY OF THE CHILD COMPLAINANT ; 10. TESTING THE CREDIBILITY OF THE ALLEGED ABUSER ; 11. EXPERT EVIDENCE ; PART V: CHILD ABUSE LAW AND POLICY: EVALUATION ; 12. THEMES AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
