SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGICAL COUNSELORS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLIGENCE: A CASE STUDY IN TURKEY

The purpose of this study is to evaluate opinions expressed by school psychological counselors that work in primary and secondary educational institutions about child abuse and neglect. 78 school psychological counselors among the ones that work three middle sized provinces located in Central Anatolia Region participated in this study. Data have been gathered via a questionnaire consisting of three sections and prepared by the researchers. The psychological counselors did not receive sufficient level of education in preventing child abuse. The most challenging issue is to communicate with the relevant agencies/legal process. Among the precautions that can be taken at a society level, they propose the training of parents. They think that their duties fall within the scope of preventive services. New elective courses can be added in Psychological Counseling and Guidance undergraduate program and effective in-service training programs can be prepared for the counselors in service with the participation of lecturers from the Psychological Counseling and Guidance departments of universities. Besides, school based preventive actions should be planned, implemented and evaluated.