The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) edit
History edit
The of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) was a program founded in 1987 as a “National and Non-profit organization"[1]. As titled, APSAC is an organization that operates and trains professionals who work with battered children. The organization incorporates members of society from various fields such as, “law, social services, law enforcement and child protective services”, to name a few[2]. Moreover, the focus has become much broader as professionals, not only respond to children but also the families violence and issues they face. APSAC like many other organizations have a board of director, staff members who participate in formulating and reviewing guidelines, as they attempt to improve the situations of battered children by providing expert training to other professionals who interact with maltreated children. There are books and other guidelines that teach and try increasing awareness by informing people of such issues.
Overall Focus edit
The overall focus of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) is created for professionals to deal with children that are abused and neglected by family as a result of violence[3]. The focus regarding the child and his well-being is seen as crucial and in order to train staff and other members to deal with abused children, the organization developed "Practice Guidelines Series". This guide, "reviews ethical and effective practices along with other developments" regarding "psychosocial evaluation of children, descriptive terminology in child sexual abuse evaluation, and photographic documentation to state a few[4]. The organization can be seen as attempting to extend its reach into various countries around the world while also incorporating its values and goals to improve the situation of children abroad.
Events edit
In order to increase awareness, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) holds various meetings and events on effective treatment, prevention and intervention of abused children [5]. First, "colloquium" is a major event as it provides "a faculty of internationally recognized expert, intensive, interdisciplinary skills based training seminars. Field generated skills training, and networking opportunities". The next important event is related with workshop clinics, as these clinics provide an "opportunity to participate in intensive training experience and personal interactions with leading experts". Moreover, APSAC also provides members to participate in "APSAC in-depth training, which is taught by recognized professionals in this field". Finally, there are "state chapter events" meaning, these are fundraisers and other charity events [6]. These events help raise awareness of certain issues in society and for people unaware of such issues, while at the same time raises money to help and fund the professionals providing services.
Reference edit
- ^ Myers, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, revised (California: Sage Publication, Inc., 2002).
- ^ Daniel Whitaker, Child Maltreatment Journal: The Journal of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of children, revised (California: Sage Publication, Inc., 2011).
- ^ Ibid at 17
- ^ Claire Renzetti, & Jeffrey Edleson. (2008). American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Encyclopedia of Interpersonal Violence, 25-26. doi: http://dx.doi.org.uproxy.library.dc-uoit.ca/10.4135/9781412963923.n19
- ^ Whitaker, supra note 1 at 21
- ^ Hobbs Chris, The APSAC Handbook on the Child Maltreatment: Child Abuse Review,(California: Sage Publication, Inc., 1997)