Investigating Child Abuse in Finland – A Parent Perspective
This PhD project focuses on the parents’ experiences of the child abuse investigation processes. In Finland almost all child abuse cases, including disciplinary violence, are considered as a crime and investigated by police. When investigating these cases, police can ask special expertise, such as interviewing children, from one of the five Finnish multi-professional Forensic Units for Children and Adolescents. In addition, the police investigation in child abuse cases is conducted always with the co-operation of the child welfare agency.
The study aims to find out how parents experience this kind of a multi-professional and inter-organizational investigation of a suspected sexual or physical abuse of their child. How people are treated in process led by authorities, matters on family life. Accordingly, the study explores the impact and consequences of the investigation process, both in family relations and people themselves. Parents’ views should be considered when evaluating and improving existing legislation, policy and practices.
The theoretical perspectives of the study are the client oriented approach and the perspective of procedural justice in government of public affairs. The study will be finished by the end of the year 2020 and is funded by the City of Tampere, The Olvi-Foundation, The Alli Paasikivi Foundation, The Ella and Georg Ehrnrooth Foundation, Pirkanmaa Hospital District, State Research Funding, The Education Fund and Tampere University.
The PhD study is conducted by
Essi Julin
essi.julin@tuni.fi
Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC)
University of Tampere