Child support services focusing on physically abused children

Abstract

Child Abuse is a phenomena with a long history. It is only in present times that children have been recognized as unique individuals, deserving a right to a decent way of life. Child Abuse can have drastic effects on the victims of the abuse, while the abusers may be among the people most in need of help. It is for this reason that effective support services are required. This dissertation studies in detail Cases of Physical Child Abuse - the history, causes and effects, as well as various ways of dealing with the problem. Notification systems and follow-up procedures of European countries as well as those of Malta are analyzed in this work. Finally some recommendations on how to develop effective child support services, in the local situation are suggested.