Intrafamilial Child Torture
Intrafamilial Child Torture (ICT) is a particularly severe form of child maltreatment with unique family dynamics and devastating outcomes for child victims. The dynamics and outcomes of torture for children in their families are comparable to other forms of child torture in non familial contexts.
No separate diagnostic category exists for ICT. It is not widely recognized or understood by child maltreatment professionals, and there is little research data to help professionals fully understand it or know how to respond. We expect that ICT cases are often misdiagnosed or remain unidentified. We also contend that professional responses to other forms of child maltreatment may not be effective for ICT and may leave tortured children at extreme risk of serious harm.
In our work, we propose a working definition of ICT to raise professional awareness of the condition and to promote adoption of ICT as a category of child maltreatment. We also describe the most effective and specialized treatment interventions for children who have experienced extreme early trauma, including child victims of ICT.
Resources include case studies of child survivors to illustrate family dynamics, severity, outcomes for child victims, and legal issues.
Policy Reports
Amicus Briefs
TAMMY SMATHERS, individually and on behalf of the ESTATE OF HARMONY BROOKLYN RAYNE CARSEY,
Plaintiffs-Appellant
vs.
RICK GLASS, Executive Director of Perry County Children's Services, et al.
Defendants-Appellees
TAMMY SMATHERS, individually and on behalf of the ESTATE OF HARMONY BROOKLYN RAYNE CARSEY,
Plaintiffs-Appellants
vs.
RICK GLASS, Executive Director of Perry County Children's Services, et al.
Defendants-Appellees
AMANDA BRANDT, Plaintiff-Appellant
vs.
ROY POMPA, Defendant-Appellee
Publications
Webinars
Resources
Contributors
Authors
Pamela Miller, JD, MSW, LISW-S
Senior Policy and Law Analyst,
Child Maltreatment Policy Resource Center
Judith S. Rycus, PhD, MSW
Program Director, Senior Policy Analyst,
Child Maltratment Policy Resource Center
Institute for Human Services
Ronald C. Hughes, PhD, MSSA
Executive Director, Senior Policy Analyst
Child Maltreatment Policy Resource Center
Institute for Human Services
Victor Vieth, JD, JA
Cheif Program Officer,
Education and Research
Zero Abuse Project
Advisors
Nicole Adams, MA
Program Manager, Child Protective
Services Intake Douglas County
Department of Human Services
Susana Flores, MS
Executive Director/Forensic Interview
Specialist,
The Children’s Advocacy Center,
Covina, California
Cherilyn R. Haworth, MSW, LCSW
Title IV-E Project Coordinator
Lecturer, Department of Social Work,
California State University, Bakersfield
Jessica M. Large, MA, EdS,LPC, ACS
Coordinator of Outpatient Services,
Center for Evaluation and,
Counseling, Inc.
Lucien X. Lombardo, PhD
Professor of Sociology and
Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University
Jason Lundquist, MCJ
Crimes Against Children Unit Supervisor,
Police Department, City of Waco, TX
Ann Ratnayake Macy, JD, BBA
Founder/Executive Director,
National Center for Child Abuse
Statistics and Policy
Felicia Marsh, MA, LPC, CSAT
Board-Certified Sexual Abuse Trauma
Expert/AAETS
Owner, Lighthouse Counseling and
Psychotherapy PLLC
Suzanne Starling, MD
Medical Director, Chadwick Center for
Children and Families,
Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego
Suzanna L. Tiapula, JD
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney,
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County
of Hawaii