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Child abuse is defined as any act or failure to act by a parent or caregiver that results in harm, the potential for harm to a child, and such abuses can take different forms. On the other hand, elder abuse is when a caregiver or another person abuses, neglects or mistreats an elderly person. An example of elder abuse would be when a caregiver pushes an elderly person in a wheelchair down a flight of stairs. Child and elder abuse have been key challenges among the young and the old in societies, respectively, but a few agencies have been formulated to reduce abuse cases.
Children are one of the most vulnerable populations in the world. They are at an increased risk for abuse and exploitation due to their size, dependency, and lack of experience and knowledge. There are many types of child abuse, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect (Read et al., 2018). Each type can have devastating long-term effects on a childs development and future relationships. There are a few factors that make children more vulnerable or at high risk of experiencing abuse. Firstly, children are physically smaller and weaker than adults, making them less likely to be able to defend themselves (Överlien, 2017). Secondly, children depend on adults for survival and may be reluctant or afraid to report abuse. Thirdly, childrens brains are still developing, which can make them more susceptible to psychological trauma (Levine & Meiners, 2020). Finally, many people view children as innocent and deserving of special protection, making it easier for perpetrators to get away with abuse.
Concerning child abuse, there are two agencies responsible for care coordination for abused children: Child Protective Services (CPS) and The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). CPS is a government agency whose purpose is to protect children who are subject to abuse or neglect. The foundation of CPS is the belief that all children should be safe, nurtured, and protected from harm (Slack et al., 2017). The agency was formed in response to the national outcry over child abuse and neglect cases that made headlines in the early 1990s. CPS is charged with investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, providing services to protect children who are maltreated, and working with families to prevent child maltreatment from occurring.
When a child is reported as being abused, the CPS agency will investigate the allegations. If they are substantiated, the CPS agency will work with the state social services department to create a case plan for the child. This case plan will include a list of safe places for the child to live, as well as a schedule of visitations for the parents (Slack et al., 2017). The CPS agency may similarly recommend therapy or other services for the child and family. Conversely, NCMEC assists law enforcement in preventing child abuse, locating missing children, and supporting their families. NCMEC also operates a CyberTipline, where individuals can report child sexual exploitation (Bursztein et al., 2019). In addition to its national functions, NCMEC assists with international child abduction and exploitation cases.
On the other hand, the elders are groups of people who are typically sixty-five years or older. They are vulnerable to abuse because they may have physical or mental impairments that make them less able to protect themselves, be financially dependent on others, and be isolated from friends. Elderly individuals can be at high risk of abuse due to many reasons. First, many older people live alone or with only one other person, making them more susceptible to abuse (Girgus et al., 2017). Second, many older adults have physical or mental health issues that can make them more vulnerable to attacks. Finally, because they are seen as weaker and less able to defend themselves, older adults are often targeted by abusers. Unfortunately, elder abuse is a common problem, and every year, millions of seniors are abused, neglected, or exploited (Banerjee, 2020). In order to help protect this elderly population from abuse, it is vital for society to be aware of the signs and symptoms of elder abuse and know how to report it.
Police departments and Adult Protective Services are the two agencies typically involved in the coordination of care for elder abuse. APS is a government-funded agency that aids in coordinating care for elders who are victims of neglect, abuse, or exploitation (Deem & Lande, 2018). When elders are placed under the guardianship of APS, it means that a third party is managing their safety and well-being. APS works with the elders family members, caregivers, and service providers to ensure that the elder is receiving the best possible care. This may include arranging for in-home care or nursing home placement, providing therapy or counseling services, and arranging for financial assistance. In some cases, APS may also petition the court to have the elders assets transferred to a protective trust. Police departments assist in coordinating care for elder abuse by connecting victims with the appropriate social services and support systems (Patterson & Swan, 2019). Additionally, they provide crucial investigative services that can help bring perpetrators to justice and protect elderly victims from further harm. Police departments are an important line of defense against elder abuse, and their work is critical to keeping seniors safe and secure.
In conclusion, there are several agencies that deal with child and elder abuse. The police are the first responders and are responsible for investigating crimes. CPS is a government agency responsible for investigating child abuse and neglect. NCMEC is a private, non-profit organization that assists law enforcement in finding missing children and combating child sexual exploitation. APS is a government agency that is responsible for investigating and protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
References
Banerjee D. (2020). Age and ageism in COVID-19: Elderly mental health-care vulnerabilities and needs. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 51, 102154. Web.
Bursztein, E., Bright, T., Clarke, E., DeLaune, M., Elifff, D. M., Hsu, N., Olson, L., Shehan, J., Thakur, M., & Thomas, K. (2019). Rethinking the detection of child sexual abuse imagery on the internet. The World Wide Web Conference on WWW 19. Web.
Deem, D., & Lande, E. S. (2018). Transnational scam predators and older adult victims: Contributing characteristics of chronic victims and developing an effective response. Dept of Just. J. Fed. L. & Prac., 66, 177. Web.
Girgus, J. S., Yang, K., & Ferri, C. V. (2017). The gender difference in depression: Are elderly women at greater risk for depression than elderly men? Geriatrics (Basel, Switzerland), 2(4), 35. Web.
Levine, J., & Meiners, E. R. (2020). The feminist and the sex offender: Confronting sexual harm, ending state violence. Verso Books.
Överlien, C. (2017). Do you want to do some arm wrestling?: Childrens strategies when experiencing domestic violence and the meaning of age. Child & Family Social Work, 22(2), 680-688. Web.
Patterson, G. T., & Swan, P. G. (2019). Police social work and social service collaboration strategies one hundred years after Vollmer. Policing: An International Journal, 42(5), 863886. Web.
Read, J., Harper, D., Tucker, I., & Kennedy, A. (2018). Do adult mental health services identify child abuse and neglect? A systematic review. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 27(1), 719. Web.
Slack, K. S., Font, S., Maguire-Jack, K., & Berger, L. M. (2017). Predicting Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement among low-income U.S. families with young children receiving nutritional assistance. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(10), 1197. Web.
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