Child torture as a form of child abuse: An exploratory study of investigative aspects among 42 offenders

Background: Torture has traditionally been described in the context of politically motivated abuse. Torture of children in the familial context is a less studied phenomenon, with scholarly articles focused on legal or medical viewpoints. Analysis from a frontline professional's perspective is virtually nonexistent in the literature. Objective: The present study seeks to identify the common features of child torture and assist law enforcement, medical, and child protection agencies in earlier identification and inform more effective investigative and intervention strategies. Participants and setting: A convenience sampling method was used to identify and collect cases involving severe child maltreatment consistent with torture. The sample included 42 offenders and 35 victims, representing 20 households. Methods: Researchers reviewed and extracted data from law enforcement case files, to include investigative, medical, and child protective services (CPS) reports, as well as recorded law enforcement interviews of offenders/witnesses and child forensic interviews. Descriptive and frequency statistics were generated. Results: Offenders were often female (57 %), most commonly biological mothers (38 %), with a history of violence (57 %). Prior CPS reports were noted in 85 % of cases, less than half of which were substantiated. In over half of the cases (55 %), law enforcement discovered digital documentation of the torture. Over half (54 %) of the victims died as a result of the torture. Conclusions: This study demonstrated how CT is a distinct form of child maltreatment that is especially severe and pervasive. Recognition, assessment and documentation of the unique constellation of physical and psychological abuse are key to an efficient intervention.