Publications

Recognizing Child Abuse
The Trainer's Manual

Recognizing Child Abuse by Douglas J. Besharov

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View Introduction
View Sample Chapter, "Sexual Abuse"
View Sample Chapter, "Parental Disability"
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Synopsis

Abused and neglected children are dying, both because suspected abuse is not being reported to the authorities and because the authorities are overwhelmed by unfounded reports. Better--and more accurate--reporting depends on continuing efforts to educate the public and professionals. Based on his earlier groundbreaking book, Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned, this trainer's manual and curriculum by Douglas J. Besharov provides a comprehensive training program for child-serving professionals, including social workers, child-care workers, mental health professionals, doctors, nurses, teachers, and police.

Recognizing Child Abuse: The Trainer's Manual is divided into twenty-one flexible training modules and printed in a convenient, oversized, lay-flat format. A copy of the textbook, Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned is packaged with the manual. Features include:

  • Over eighty-five overhead transparencies, which contain all key points from each module.
  • Group training methods that have been widely and exhaustively field tested by Professor Besharov and numerous state and local experts.
  • Optional ice-breaking activities, discussion questions, and group exercises.
  • Handy trainer's notes cross-referenced with information from Recognizing Child Abuse: A Guide for the Concerned.
  • The latest information about child abuse and neglect.
  • Practical advice and new strategies for recognizing and reporting child abuse.

"No one knows more or has been more concerned about the issues of child abuse than Douglas J. Besharov. This training curriculum for the recognition and reporting of child abuse is clear, direct, comprehensive, and of enormous value for anyone dealing with children and adolescents, including physicians, teachers, mental health professionals, and police. This manual simply continues the unique contributions that Doug Besharov has made to our understanding, recognition, and prevention of child abuse."
--Jerry M. Wiener, M.D., Leon Yochelson Professor of Psychiatry and Professor of Pediatrics, George Washington University School of Medicine; and Past President, American Psychiatric Association

"Besharov's Recognizing Child Abuse: The Trainer's Manual is based on over 30 years of experience in the forefront of child abuse awareness and prevention. It is truly an essential book for all child-care professionals, teachers, and law enforcement officials. I congratulate Doug Besharov on filling a critical need for a clear, concise, easy-to-read comprehensive manual on recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse cases."
--Vincent J. Fontana, M.D., Medical Director, New York Foundling Hospital; author of Save the Family, Save the Child and Somewhere a Child is Crying

"The comprehensiveness and clarity of this new curriculum reflect the author's long experience and his deep commitment to helping others respond more adequately to children at risk of neglect or abuse... An extraordinarily important contribution to the field."
--Barbara Blum, Past Commissioner, New York State Department of Social Services; Past President, American Public Welfare Association; Past President, Foundation for Child Development