Policy Memo - Human Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Policy Memo - Human Rights - Essay Example In addition, there is the reality of todays global terrorism where time sensitive information may be able to save thousands of lives. Torture falls under the umbrella of human rights that have had staunch philosophical support from the US government since its inception. The problem that faces the US is being able to stay true to the principles and ideals that the US stands for, while confronting an enemy that does not have the same level of respect for life, dignity, and human rights that the US does. Only by eliminating the use of torture and maintaining our credibility on the world stage, will the US be able to further its agenda of spreading democracy and protecting human rights around the world. Torture dates back to the days of antiquity and has been used regularly in wars to gain information from the enemy. Torture was used in ancient Mesopotamia, the Romans tortured Christ, and Aristotle advocated it as an effective means to extract information (Masci). Since the earliest recorded times torture has been used by churches, militaries, and law enforcement in an effort to get a confession. By the 18th century, enlightened thinking began to question the ethics of torture and humanitarian advocates called for the elimination of torture as a means to get a confession (Masci). Modern views on torture are generally the result of the foundations laid by the American Red Cross and the Geneva Conferences in 1863 and 1864 (Masci). While there has been a movement to reduce torture in the recent centuries, and its practice made more palatable, it still proliferates in many of the civilized countries around the world. Today, law enforcement, intelligence organizations, militaries, and governments in over 100 countries including the United States use torture (Masci). Its use has been banned by international common law, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Geneva Convention

Investigation of Child Abuse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Investigation of Child Abuse - Essay Example Although more than six million children were involved in referrals by Child Protective Service Agencies in 2006, only "1,907,264 investigations received a disposition" (National Child Abuse Statistics, 2007: 1). A legitimate concern, therefore, is whether too many referrals are being made or whether the investigative process is somehow deficient. This essay will discuss and analyze the investigative process as it typically pertains to child abuse situations. As an initial matter, it is important to note that a uniform approach to child abuse investigations is complicated by the fact that each state has different statutory definitions of child abuse and neglect. There are federal standards that serve as guidelines, but states are free to create and enforce their own definitions so long as the state definitions do not conflict with federal law. There are two federal laws that define child abuse or neglect, Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, and the basic federal standard states that "Any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caretaker which results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse or exploitation; or an act or failure to act which presents an imminent risk of serious harm" (Child Maltreatment 2006: 1). The threshold for the initiation of an investigation, therefore, can be cased on a positive act of child abuse or neglect when a paren t or caretaker is aware or should be reasonably aware that child abuse has occurred or is occurring. In addition, an investigation may be initiated for different types of abuse, whether physical, emotional or some combination thereof. Investigators, usually associated with local Child Protective Service Agencies, initially rely on tips from parents or other caretakers. These tips or referrals are used in conjunction with various signs of child abuse that have proven empirically reliable when making a determination whether to initiate a full investigation. Some of the physical signs of child abuse look for by investigators include such things as anti-social behavior, a fear of authority figures, or unexplained damage to the child's body. Some of the emotional signs include a lack of concentration at school and eating disorders that become increasingly pronounced. There are also some well-established signs of sexual abuse; for example, investigators are often alerted when children report bedwetting, nightmares, or a premature interest in or knowledge of sexual or otherwise age-inappropriate activities (Signs of Child Abuse, 2007: 1). In short, whether a tip is acted upon initially upon the information received, th e signs detected by the investigators, and any corroboration that the investigators can obtain. An investigatory problem sometimes arises, however, because of jurisdictional conflicts or confusion. The main conflict occurs between law enforcement officials and mental health or welfare professionals; indeed, as noted by McBride, "In virtually every state in the country, law enforcement has a legal mandate to be involved in child abuse and neglect investigations. The issues are not over whether they will be involved, but rather how and to what degree. What is expected of