Resources that explore the relationship between culture and child maltreatment, including how child abuse and neglect is viewed in different cultures and how child welfare workers can respond. Includes information on domestic violence and State and local examples.
Can Science Help Solomon?: Child Maltreatment Cases and the Potential for Racial and Ethnic Bias in Decision Making (PDF - 292 KB)
Azar & Goff
St. John's Law Review, 81(3), 2007
Examines the evidence of implicit processes that can produce changes in the transactions between professionals and parents and biases in decision-making that may explain some of the racial and ethnic disparities found in the child protective services system.
Child Abuse Issues With Refugee Populations: Part 1: Recognizing Suspected Child Maltreatment in Culturally Diverse Refugee Families (PDF - 3,933 KB)
Fontes (2010)
Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services
Offers presentation slides that explore part one of a two-part series that includes information on Federal and child welfare statutes, types of child maltreatment, the relationships between poverty and physical neglect, and complications with determining child neglect in refugee families.
Disproportionate Representation of Race and Ethnicity in Child Maltreatment: Investigation and Victimization
Fluke, Yuan, Hedderson, & Curtis
Children and Youth Services Review, 25(5/6), 2003
View Abstract
Examines the disproportionality of racial and ethnic groups in investigation and disposition of child maltreatment.
Do American Ethnic Cultures Differ in Their Definitions of Child Sexual Abuse?
Lowe, Pavkov, Casanova, & Wetchler
American Journal of Family Therapy, 33(2), 2005
View Abstract
Investigation of whether Whites, African-Americans, and Hispanics have different notions of what constitutes child sexual abuse and when to report it.
Ethnicity, Disability, and Risk for Abuse
Randall, Sobsey, & Parrila
Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, 29(1), 2001
View Abstract
Analysis of the interaction of ethnicity, disability status, and risk of abuse.
Female Genital Cutting
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (2015)
Provides general information on female genital cutting, including locations where it occurs, the health risks associated with the practice, and resources for individuals that have undergone it.
Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Offers national and international resources and information about female genital mutilation or cutting, including information to eliminate the practice.
Passports for Native Children: A Best Practice Approach for Tribal Advocates Working With Native Children Who Have Suffered Abuse (PDF - 178 KB)
Abinanti (2006)
Tribal Law and Policy Institute
Provides an approach to evaluating the needs of Tribal children receiving child protection services that is culturally consistent with most Tribal child rearing philosophies.
Race, Poverty, and Neglect
Charlow
William Mitchell Law Review, 28(2), 2002
View Abstract
Examines the link between poverty and maltreatment to identify appropriate methods for responding to findings of neglect in poor families.
Resource Guide: Working With Urban American Indian Families With Child Protection and Substance Abuse Challenges (PDF - 564 KB)
Lucero (2007)
Rocky Mountain Quality Improvement Center, Denver Indian Family Resource Center
Provides professionals with a resource guide of practical information outlining strategies and interventions aimed at providing services to American Indian families that have both child protection and substance abuse concerns.
Domestic violence
Fostering Resilient Coping in Children Exposed to Violence: Cultural Considerations
Graham-Bermann & Halabu (2004)
In Protecting Children from Domestic Violence: Strategies for Community Intervention
View Abstract
Factors that should be addressed by domestic violence programs serving ethnic minority children.
Guidelines on the Co-Occurrence of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment (PDF - 555 KB)
Safe from the Start (Project) (2004)
Information about cultural competence as it relates to the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment.
State and local examples
Hmong Children's Program: 2000-01 & 2001-02 Evaluation Report (PDF - 514 KB)
Mbilinyi (2003)
Describes domestic abuse groups for Hmong children who have experienced or been exposed to abuse and their parents.
Serving Immigrant Families (PDF - 3,123 KB)
Virginia Department of Social Services & James Madison University (2011)
Virginia Child Protection Newsletter, (90)
Addresses the need for culturally competent practice in child welfare and child protective services in order to adequately address the differing needs of immigrant and refugee populations.