Completing the first of its kind one-year course in Israel, 18 pediatricians have learned to detect signs of child abuse. The course included lectures from professionals, including police investigators, social workers, police experts, physicians and pathologists.

Officials report that sadly, there are tens of thousands of cases of various kinds of abuse committed against children annually, and they are confident the course will be a major step in early detection of such cases, permitting the system to intervene.

The innovative program was organized by Dr. Yoram Ben-Yehuda. Ben-Yehuda is a pediatrician affiliated with Hadassah Hospital and one of two physicians who is viewed as an expert in detecting abuse.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)