ZAP Munchausen by Proxy and Medical Child Abuse

Munchausen by Proxy Abuse continues to be under-recognized by those empowered to protect children.

Munchausen by Proxy and Medical Child Abuse: Updates for Interdisciplinary Practice

Munchausen by Proxy Abuse, also known as Medical Child Abuse, continues to be under-recognized by those empowered to protect children. Recent high-profile cases have brought Munchausen by Proxy Abuse and Medical Child Abuse (MBPA/MCA) under greater public awareness and scrutiny. This training provides updates for child protection, legal, medical, and mental health professionals. A pediatrician, forensic psychologist, and attorney will share best practices that facilitate determining whether this type of abuse is occurring in the context of custody disputes, healthcare, education, or therapy. Munchausen Support is a non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting survivors, educating professionals, and providing resources to anyone who seeks help confirming whether their concerns should be taken seriously, and steps to confirm or dispel whether abuse should be reported. We discuss our model of providing free online support groups as a trauma-informed and evidence-based modality. The impact of recent media legal cases and media coverage regarding MBPA/MCA will be explored.