Full Description
In Cleveland in 1987 a medical diagnosis of child sexual abuse was made in 127 children, resulting in their removal from home. The consequent intense scrutiny and public criticism around the case, together with the subsequent Butler-Sloss inquiry, resulted in the medical evidence being discredited, giving rise to a system which relies on children to speak out about their abuse. This book argues that this 1987 crisis continues to shape child protection today, resulting in opportunities to protect children being missed.
Now re-issued with a substantial new introduction and concluding reflections, this book provides the only account by key professionals directly involved in the Cleveland cases, allowing readers to understand what really took place in Cleveland and why it continues to matter today. It analyses the many failures to address the plight of sexually abused children and makes constructive suggestions for the way forward to provide more effective interventions for children at risk.
Contents
Why Cleveland still matters: connections with a new era ‾ Heather Bacon and Sue Richardson;
From Colwell to Cleveland 1973 to 1988 ‾ Marjorie Dunn;
A framework of belief ‾ Sue Richardson and Heather Bacon;
The medical diagnosis of child sexual abuse: the paediatrician's dilemma ‾ Geoffrey Wyatt and Marietta Higgs;
After the medical diagnosis: everyone's dilemma ‾ Geoffrey Wyatt and Marietta Higgs;
The continuum of disclosure ‾ Sue Richardson;
Seen but not heard: the children of Cleveland ‾ Heather Bacon;
The unwanted message: child protection through community awareness ‾ Hilary Cashman and Annette Lamballe-Armstrong;
Questions not answers: progressing the debate ‾ Sue Richardson and Heather Bacon;
Thirty years later: how far have we progressed? ‾ Heather Bacon and Sue Richardson.
