This assignment has two parts: 1. If you have not already read it, read The Relationship Between Poverty, Child Abuse and Neglect: An Evidence Review. While the content deals with poverty in the United Kingdom (UK), it’s content, research, and policy/implementation ideas are still relevant. Read the entire document so that you have a better understanding of how poverty can influence, exacerbate, and compound child maltreatment. Apply the knowledge gained from this article in your framing of the questions below after the case study.
Case Study Abigail has three children Ben who is a toddler aged 2, Marie who is aged 8, and a 15 year old named Josh. Abigail lives in a deteriorating two bedroom apartment in a crime ridden part of town. She has a low-paying job that sometimes requires her to work long hours. She does not have reliable child care since her mother died. She does not like to, but out of desperation, she often leaves Ben in the care of Marie. She cannot count on Josh because Abigail often does not even know where he is. He likes to hang out with a group of other teens who often skip school and get into petty trouble like shop lifting. She is afraid Josh might be getting into drugs. She got the kids a dog after they pleaded with her but now the place more of a mess than it usually is with dog feces and bad food all over the floor. Abigail feels alone and depressed and knows she is not being a good mother but feels powerless to make changes. The father of the children left the family a year ago and disappeared.
2. Address the following questions in your paper.
Provide a summary of the case study. (Note, this is a summary in your own words. Not a duplication of the text above.)
What are the risk factors for Ben?
What are the risk factors for Marie?
What are the risk factors for Josh?
What types of neglect might each being subjected to?
How can we help Abigail? What supports/resources would you suggest for Abigail? What about Ben, Marie, or Josh?
