A Study of Social Work by Local Governments : Regarding Child Abuse Prevention in Japan

抄録

In Japan, the core agencies of child abuse prevention are the child guidance centers of local governments. The child guidance centers provide examinations, diagnosis of child abuse and child protection, including legal procedures, treatment and integration of children and parents. When parents strongly abuse their child, social workers need to shelter the child from his/her parents. If parents do not agree with the protection of their child, social workers must remove the children from their homes and put them into a temporary institution under legal procedures. Conflict often occurs between social workers and parents, so then social workers cannot establish relationships with parents. When social workers intervene in the family in the name of governmental authority, they need to acquire special skills in social work. The present study proposes "a system reform" for child abuse prevention. In other words, first, child guidance centers should be changed into institutions for guarding children's rights. Second, the quantity and quality of social workers should be improved. Furthermore, social network systems, commitment systems by legal authorities, and advocators' involvement in child abuse prevention are also discussed.