Origen, proceso y algunos resultados del estudio sobre los malos tratos infantiles en Cataluña

Resumen

Como consecuencia de un dictamen del Parlamento de Cataluña, se llevó a cabo una investigación sobre la ocurrencia de malos tratos a la infancia en el territorio de Cataluña. La recogida de datos se hizo en 1989 y los datos se refieren a 1988. Se contactó con profesionales que están en contacto con la infancia desde diferentes enfoques y desde diferentes ámbitos: colegios públicos y privados, hospitales, pediatras, trabajadores sociales, expedientes de la Administración. Se calcula un total de 7.590 niños maltratados, lo que supone un 5,09 por mil de la población infantil catalana entre 0 y 16 años. Los niños reciben algo más de maltrato que las niñas, excepto en el caso del abuso sexual. Los malos tratos más frecuentes son la negligencia, los malos tratos psicológicos y los físicos. Los malos tratos son infligidos más frecuentemente por las madres que por los padres.

Abstract

An investigation on the incidence of child abuse in Catalonia was undertaken in 1989 following a report from the Catalan Parliament—data collected refers to 1988. Professionals from different fields and orientations working with children were contacted; such as those working in state schools, private schools, and hospitals (e.g., teachers, pediatricians, and social workers). There was also access to local services' files. Results showed the existence of an estimated 7,590 cases of abused children living in Catalonia, which means 5.09 per thousand children between birth and 16 yrs. Boys are abused more often than girls, except when sexual abuse is involved. The most frequent types of abuse are: negligence, psychological and physical abuse. Abuse seems to be inflicted more often by mothers than by fathers.

Extended Summary

Following a resolution from the Catalan Parliament, in 1989 a study was undertaken to establish the magnitude of cases of child abuse in Cataluña during 1988. The study adopted a broad definition of the concept of child abuse together with a typology including the following types of abuse: prenatal abuse, physical abuse, negligence or neglect, psychological abuse, sexual subjugation, work exploitation, sexual exploitation, and chemical-pharmaceutical subjugation. Data gathering included reports from different professionals working with children (in schools, hospitals, doctor's surgery, social services), as well as data from local services files.

Using professionals to obtain information about the incidence of child abuse entails a series of problems related to: confidentiality, the degree of certainty of the informant, and the fact that many of these professionals lack specific information on the subject of child abuse. The study's design took these factors into account and tried to minimize them as much as possible.

The data indicated that in 1988 there were a total of 7,590 cases of abused children in Cataluña; that is, 5.09 per thousand of the Catalan population between birth and 16 yrs. A finding which is in accordance with results from other European or American studies.

Data analysis showed that the most frequent types of abuse are: negligence, psychological abuse, and physical abuse (in that order). Abuse is more often directed to boys than girls; with the exception of sexual abuse, which affects girls considerably more than boys.

The mother is the abusive parent more frequently than the father. This is interpreted in terms of the mother's greater presence in the home and, consequently, the greater risk of her becoming the abusive parent.

Abusive individuals seem to be charaterized by: a high incidence of family conflicts (e.g., family destructuring), alcoholism, drug addiction; features related to emotional instability, inmaturity, lack of affection, etc.

This investigation helped primarily to uncover the magnitude of the problem of child abuse in Cataluña. However, it also brought about writing a series of handouts for professionals to help them become more familiar with the problem of child abuse and increase their awareness to it.

Palabras clave:

• Malos tratos
• abuso infantil
• epidemiología

Keywords:

• Abuse
• child abuse
• epidemiology