Social Services Provided for Physically Abused Children: A Four-Year Follow-Up Study in Sweden

Abstract

This paper examines contacts that Swedish physically abused children have with the Department of Social Services (DSS) 4 years after a physical abuse incident has been reported to the police. The children's files have been investigated in an effort to evaluate which child and parent characteristics led DSS to make interventions for the 69 children still in need of assistance, 4 years after the original abuse incident. Intervention by the DSS prior to the reported abuse incident increased the odds 18 times that a child would still receive interventions 4 years after the incident, and the presence of a mentally ill mother increased the odds 11 times.

Treatment in Barnahus: Implementing Combined Treatment for Children and Parents in Physical Abuse Cases

“…In Sweden, research has shown that children who experience parental physical abuse often continue to live with their parents, even after the abuse has come to the attention of the child welfare service (Lindell and Svedin 2006). Despite this, there has been a lack of specialised intervention for this group of families.…”

Outcomes of CPC-CBT in Sweden Concerning Psychosocial Well-Being and Parenting Practice: Children’s Perspectives

“…Children often continue to reside with their parent(s) after physical abuse has been disclosed (Lindell & Svedin, 2006). Previous research has revealed insufficient results for actions taken by Child Welfare Service after referrals of child physical abuse.…”

“…Re-referrals and renewed reports of abuse to Child Welfare Service can be due to noneffective interventions given in the first place (cf. Jonson-Reid et al, 2003; Heimer et al, 2017a; Lindell & Svedin, 2006). Different parenting programs may offer some general support to this population.…”

“…Children who have experienced parental physical violence often continue to reside with their parent(s) even after being reported to the Child Welfare Service (Lindell & Svedin, 2006). Offered interventions rarely address the use of violence by parents (Heimer, Näsman, & Palme, 2017a, 2017b).…”

“…Offered interventions rarely address the use of violence by parents (Heimer, Näsman, & Palme, 2017a, 2017b). International (Jonson-Reid, Drake, Chung, & Way, 2003) as well as Swedish (Lindell & Svedin, 2006) research reveals that more than 40% of children referred to Child Welfare Service due to child physical abuse are re-referred within 4 years for abuse.…”