Discuss the impact of the media, cultural issues and commonly held beliefs on victims/survivors of child abuse and their families. 1000 words.
             In this paper I have examined the impact of the media, cultural issues and commonly held beliefs on victims/survivors of child abuse and their families. I have achieved this through examining current events in Australia; the published research of writers on the topic; and interviews with both victims and health professional in the child abuse area. Through examining this material I have drawn the conclusion that the impact is both negative and positive - and all places in between.
             'Child abuse and neglect occur across all socioeconomic, religions and ethnic groups. No one single source can be identified (Finkelhor & Korbin 1988.).' However, because many occurrences of child abuse and neglect go unreported or undetected, official figures do not necessarily state the true incidence. They tend to reflect on what State government agencies are doing. ( James, M. (1994) Child Abuse and Neglect: Incidence and Prevention.)
             Talk radio/television and magazine articles have found a bold new frontier, impacting on victims by allowing victims and survivors the legitimacy to broach the once unbroachable. The media's motives may not always have been altruistic, however publicity and campaigns have brought many cases into the open and many offenders to punishment. For example, the media long ran stories on abuses in the Catholic Church, resulting in investigation and improved monitoring by the church.
             Media attention could also be responsible for the emergence of agencies and self-help organisations to assist victims/survivors and their families and Governments are now more involved than they ever were. Prosecuting agencies worldwide now make the gathering of evidence less onerous on children. Closed circuit television has made victim statements a less frightening ordeal than b...