§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what research the Government are undertaking on the causes of and prevention of child abuse.
§ Sir George YoungResearch projects funded by the Department in progress or recently completed are as follows
Dr. R. Bacon, University of Cambridge—The characteristics, identification, social work management and treatment of "at risk" cases in Cambridgeshire.Dr. C Hyman, University of Surrey—The differences in the pattern of interaction with their babies between abusing and non-abusing mothers.Mrs. J. C. Roberts, Oxfordshire Area Health Authority—The link between sudden infant death and child abuse.Dr. T. S. Rachman and Dr. R. T. T. Morgan, the Institute of Psychiatry—The prevention of non-accidental injury to children.Dr. R. Dingwall and Mr. J. Eekelaar, Wolfson College, Oxford—Decision making in the care and protection of children thought to have been abused or neglected.Our research programme also includes a number of studies which, although not specifically concerned with child abuse, may help to shed light on the subject. I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science that the Medical Research Council is also supporting such researchr j 4–11.
37WThis Department has recently reviewed research needs in the field of child abuse and has identified some priority areas for future study.