Confronting Cruelty

Historical Perspectives on Child Protection in Australia

Dorothy Scott, Shurlee Swain
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Confronting Cruelty

Published

15 February 2002

ISBN

9780522849981

Pages

248

Imprint

Melbourne University Press

Confronting Cruelty

Historical Perspectives on Child Protection in Australia

Dorothy Scott, Shurlee Swain
Confronting Cruelty investigates the history of the detection and treatment of child abuse in Australia.
The problem of child abuse seems to have escalated in recent years. Were there any 'battered babies' before the 1960s? Is the sexual abuse of children a recent phenomenon? The subject is often discussed in the media with little or no awareness that it has a long history. Confronting Cruelty examines our changing understanding of what cruelty is, the continuing neglect and abuse of children in our society, and the struggle between philanthropists, social workers and other professional groups for the right to identify and treat the children who are abused. Through the rich case records of the Children's Protection Society, Dorothy Scott and Shurlee Swain document a hundred years of child abuse, and explore how the community has responded to this ever-present social problem.
The problem of child abuse seems to have escalated in recent years. Were there any 'battered babies' before the 1960s? Is the sexual abuse of children a recent phenomenon? The subject is often discussed in the media with little or no awareness that it has a long history. Confronting Cruelty examines our changing understanding of what cruelty is, the continuing neglect and abuse of children in our society, and the struggle between philanthropists, social workers and other professional groups for the right to identify and treat the children who are abused. Through the rich case records of the Children's Protection Society, Dorothy Scott and Shurlee Swain document a hundred years of child abuse, and explore how the community has responded to this ever-present social problem.

Dorothy Scott

Dorothy Scott is recognised internationally for the excellence of her work in the area of child and family welfare. The author of five books and many refereed articles, she has been influential nationally and internationally in improving approaches to preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect.

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Shurlee Swain

Shurlee Swain (AM, FASSA, FAHA) is an Australian social welfare historian, researcher and author.

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Paperback
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Other formats available