E-Book Overview
This academic research volume will be an exploration of non-accidental head injury in babies and young children, covering medical, social, and legal aspects of this phenomenon, as well as the responsibilities of professionals, child protection agencies and the media in this area. Non-accidental head injury is often referred to as being synonymous with 'shaken baby syndrome' (SBS) - a term which has attracted a great deal of controversy in recent years due to both disagreement about its cause and the reliability of eyewitness testimony. The authors investigate the existing evidence surrounding SBS and its recognition and construction, including medical versus social explanations and the difficulties involved in proving abuse. The reliability of eyewitness and expert testimony are discussed in the context of the concept of proof, as is the social backlash against high profile media cases such as those of Sally Clarke, Trupti Patel and Angela Cannings. The authors argue for an examination of non-accidental head injury rather than SBS, as this term encompasses other forms of abuse as well as shaking, and caution against a blind acceptance of medical testimony, arguing that this may impede child protection agencies' ability to assess cases objectively and accurately. They also consider the effectiveness of prevention strategies in reducing the incidence of child abuse cases. This insightful book will be essential reading for social workers, lawyers, health professionals, and those working with child protection agencies.
E-Book Content
Non-Accidental Head Injury in Young Children
of related interest Domestic Violence and Child Protection Directions for Good Practice
Edited by Cathy Humphreys and Nicky Stanley ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 276 2
ISBN-10: 1 84310 276 5
Culture and Child Protection: Reflexive Responses Marie Connolly, Yvonne Crichton-Hill and Tony Ward ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 270 0 ISBN-10: 1 84310 270 6
Approaches to Needs Assessment in Children's Services Edited by Harriet Ward and Wendy Rose Foreword by Professor Al Aynsley Green ISBN-13: 978 1 85302 780 2
ISBN-10: 1 85302 780 4
Mothering Through Domestic Violence Lorraine Radford and Marianne Hester ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 473 5
ISBN-10: 1 84310 473 3
Making an Impact Children and Domestic Violence - A Reader 2nd edition
Marianne Hester, Chris Pearson and Nicola Harwin With Brian Adams ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 157 4
ISBN-10: 1 84310 157 2
Dealing with Death A Handbook of Practices, Procedures and Law 2nd edition
Jennifer Green and Michael Green ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 381 3
ISBN-10: 1 84310 381 8
Family Support as Reflective Practice Edited by Pat Dolan, John Canavan and John Pinkerton Foreword by Neil Thompson ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 320 2
ISBN-10: 1 84310 320 6
Safeguarding and Promoting the Well-being of Children, Families and Communities Edited by Jane Scott and Harriet Ward Foreword by Maria Eagle MP ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 141 3
ISBN-10: 1 84310 141 6
Babies and Young Children in Care Life Pathways, Decision-making and Practice
Harriet Ward, Emily R. Munro and Chris Dearden ISBN-13: 978 1 84310 272 4
ISBN-10: 1 84310 272 2
Non-Accidental Head Injury in Young Children Medical, Legal and Social Responses Cathy Cobley and Tom Sanders
Jessica Kingsley Publishers London and Philadelphia
First published in 2007 by Jessica Kingsley Publishers 116 Pentonville Road London N1 9JB, UK and 400 Market Street, Suite 400 Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA www.jkp.com Copyright © Cathy Cobley and Tom Sanders 2007 The right of Cathy Cobley and Tom Sanders to be identified as authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserve