Scream (Is It Necessary to Disclose of Obtained Data From Child Abuse Researchs, Why?): Scientific Letter

According to the Turkish Penal Code; health professionals are obliged to inform judicial authorities in case they come across with any crime indication while performing their tasks. Researches on child abuse involve the subject of crime qualitative acts. In researches at clinical settings, if some findings of child abuse are found there is no doubt that it is compulsory to report this. However, is it also essential for surveys? Regarding abuse research, particularly self reported surveys carried out at school settings are reported to be among the most effective research methods. In surveys, participants are assured about confidentiality of their identity which increases the likelihood of participation and response to questions. In the current article, a private event was encountered that was requiring help by reporting having been exposed to intense sexual abuse. Therefore, in child abuse research, if data that can be associated with crime is obtained, is notification of that data required? Would notification of the data constitute a problem in terms of subject's rights, is it violation of confidentiality, what should be the boundaries of notification? How the information should be given? During the taking inform consent, should it be told to children not to disclose their identity or give them guaranty about not exposing their identity? What must be the ranges of that warranty? Will notification affect the validity, reliability of the study? These are the questions needed to be answered.WoSScopu

Establishment of interdisciplinary child protection teams in Turkey 2002-2006: Identifying the strongest link can make a difference!

WOS: 000265321200007PubMed ID: 19328549Objectives: The University of Iowa Child Protection Program collaborated with Turkish professionals to develop a training program on child abuse and neglect during 2002-2006 with the goals of increasing professional awareness and number of multidisciplinary teams (MDT), regional collaborations, and assessed cases. This paper summarizes the 5-year outcome. Methods: A team of instructors evaluated needs and held training activities in Turkey annually, and provided consultation when needed. Descriptive analysis was done via Excel and SPSS software. Results: Eighteen training activities were held with 3,570 attendees. Over the study period, the number of MDTs increased from 4 to 14. The MDTs got involved in organizing training activities in their institutions and communities. The number of medical curriculum lectures taught by MDTs to medical students/residents, conferences organized by the MDTs, and lectures to non-medical professional audiences increased significantly (R-2 = 91.4%, 83.8%, and 69.2%, respectively). The number of abuse cases assessed by the MDTs increased by five times compared to pre-training period. Conclusions: A culturally competent training program had a positive impact on professional attitudes and behaviors toward recognition and management of child abuse and neglect in Turkey. The need to partner with policy makers to revise current law in favor of a greater human services orientation became clear. Practice implications: Pioneers in developing countries may benefit from collaborating with culturally competent instructors from countries with more developed child protection systems to develop training programs so that professional development can improve recognition and management of child abuse and neglect. Published by Elsevier Ltd