There are few things is our society that provoke such raw emotions as
that of child abuse. Most people, justifiably so, are outraged when they
hear of allegations of abuse, and their anger is intensified as they
learn of what seems to be an inappropriate criminal justice response.
However, the debate on child abuse usually happens though visceral
emotions rather than facts. Taking emotions out of a child abuse debate
is much easier said than done, but it is of utmost importance to
identify the facts. When the reader has a better understanding of the
scope of child abuse, they can become more objective but still maintain
their passion about ways to protect this vulnerable and targeted
population. Child Abuse, Child Exploitation, and Criminal Justice
Responses is unique in that it offers the reader contributing facts
based not only through scholarly research, but practical experience
working in field, from this wonderful collaboration of criminal
investigator and forensic nurse. Thus providing much personal insight
and demonstrating how these two areas of expertise can join forces to
achieve the objective of working as a team to facilitate safeguarding
children. The authors also presents the research on this complex yet
worthy topic by identifying the unique challenges of investigating these
offenses while ultimately bringing the perpetrators to justice, and
presenting the research from various perspectives of child abuse
including both national and international issues and responses.
