Citation

Wilson SR. Commun. Monogr. 2006; 73(4): 481-487.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03637750601061232

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This essay analyzes the case of Aiyana Gauvin, a 4-year-old girl in my own community who died in March, 2005 from injuries inflicted by her stepmother. I explore the Greater Lafayette community's responses to Aiyana's death, arguing they evolved over time from primarily first-order to second-order changes (Watzlawick, Weakland, & Fisch, 1974). These levels differ in terms of which institutions are responsible for responding to child abuse as well as how communities see families. I discuss research questions our discipline could pursue to help assess whether community responses to child abuse and neglect are making a difference.