Unfortunately, child abuse is still a major social problem around the world. Anyone interested in working as a child abuse worker will find a variety of options in most jurisdictions. A person can become a child abuse worker by pursuing a career as a lawyer, social worker, or psychologist, or by volunteering in a program such as the guardian ad litem or foster care program.
Despite the fact that the laws and procedures for dealing with child abuse vary from country to country, child abuse is a crime in almost all of them. As a result, when a child is suspected of being abused, he or she is frequently removed from the home and placed in foster care. Child abuse victims frequently require counseling from a social worker or psychologist to help them cope with the trauma. A person who chooses to work as a child abuse worker has a variety of options for assisting victims throughout the legal process.
When a parent is suspected of abusing their child, the state usually files abuse charges against them and/or files a petition to have the child removed from the home. Due to the sensitive nature of the subject and the fact that the victims are children, many jurisdictions have prosecutors who only handle child abuse cases. A person who wants to work as a child abuse investigator or prosecutor can do so by first completing the necessary education and licensing. In order to practice law in the United States, a prospective attorney must first complete an undergraduate degree, then three years of law school, pass the bar exam, and complete the state licensing procedures.
A social worker or psychologist is another option for anyone interested in working with children. To assist a child who has been the victim of child abuse, social workers are frequently called upon. In many cases, the child is also referred to a child psychologist for more intensive therapy. In the United States, a social worker or psychologist must have a bachelor’s degree in the relevant field at the very least. A master’s degree in the discipline in which a social worker or psychologist will be working with child abuse victims is required or preferred by many agencies.
There are a number of programs or agencies that are always looking for volunteers who want to work as a child abuse worker on a part-time or volunteer basis. When legal proceedings are pending, many courts appoint guardians ad litems to represent the child’s best interests. Individual court requirements for becoming a guardian ad litem will vary; however, in most cases, some post-secondary education, as well as completion of a background check and education aimed at teaching the volunteer how to advocate for the child, are required. Another volunteer opportunity is to become a foster parent for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse. Although most jurisdictions do not require a specific level of education, an extensive background check will almost certainly be conducted.