http://tva.sagepub.com Trauma, Violence, & Abuse RSS feed -- OnlineFirst Articles Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 1524-8380 http://tva.sagepub.com:80/icons/banner/title.gif http://tva.sagepub.com http://tva.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1524838009349516v1?rss=1 In this article, the sociological and historical approaches and literatures are synthesized to present the historical background of the treatment that child-abusing and child-killing parents are receiving in the legal system today. The roots of the formation of contemporary institutional responses to severe child abuse and child homicide are traced and latest developments are examined critically. Durkheim’s insights regarding the functions of law are highlighted by pointing out how, throughout history, crimes against children become stand-ins for larger societal problem. The latest innovations in the criminal branch of child protection consist of the specialized prosecution bureaus and court parts dealing with physical and sexual violence against children. Integral to the new developments in child protection are "multidisciplinary," comprehensive approaches to the processing of criminal cases, involving teams consisting of representatives from the police, the prosecution, public and private social work and child protection agencies, and psychiatric, pediatric, and other medical practitioners and community partners. These developments exemplify heightened focus on criminal prosecution of parental crimes against children, inevitably leading to questions and policy concerns regarding resources geared toward punishment rather than prevention. ]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:10:44 PST info:doi/10.1177/1524838009349516 2009-11-19 Article http://tva.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/1524838009349517v1?rss=1 Matricide, the killing of mothers by their biological children, is a very rare event, comprising less that 2% of all U.S. homicides in which the victim-offender relationship is known. This manuscript examines more than 20 years of U.S. homicides to determine the age and gender characteristics of matricide offenders. These data reveal that most mothers are killed by their adult sons. Daughters younger than 18 years are the most infrequent killers of mothers. This article examines the incidence of parricide, the involvement of sons and daughters in matricidal incidents, and synthesizes the literature in terms of offender gender. Special attention is given to female matricide offenders, given the lack of research currently available with respect to this population. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed. ]]> Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:36:57 PDT info:doi/10.1177/1524838009349517 2009-10-28 Article