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This paper draws on three studies conducted in Australia, Canada and Ireland which explore the factors influencing research utilisation in the child protection sector in each country. The paper recognises that research uptake is complicated by a number of factors. It also acknowledges critiques which cite the equally significant influence of ideologies, context, unpredictability, time constraints and political expediency. However, all three studies recognised the increasing importance of evidence-based practice. The methods used in the three studies were not identical but the frameworks used were sufficiently similar to enable the classification of both common and dissimilar barriers and facilitators to research use. Those which they identified were categorised into four types: individual, organisational, environmental and characteristics relating to the nature of research material. Implications were identified for policy makers, service providers and research producers. The point was made that we now live in a period where unprecedented means of knowledge transfer and exchange provide unique opportunities to improve the lives of children and families. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Avail of opportunities to attend learning events., Draw on research findings when conducting assessments, writing reports, devising intervention plans, evaluating programmes and tendering for funding., Establish links with research centres., Become involved in the conduct of research., Support colleagues (champions) who display particular interest and motivation in the use of research evidence by recognising and/or rewarding effort., Avail of opportunities to undertake further study that includes a research component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the implications and findings of a longitudinal evaluation of a UK charity's network of therapeutic projects for their effectiveness in improving child outcomes following child sexual abuse. Eight intervention projects across England and Wales participated in this one group pre- and post-test evaluation leading to a final sample of 42 children. We collected qualitative and quantitative data via the individual projects. These data included responses from the children's parents, the therapists and from the children themselves. The findings of this evaluation indicate improvements in the children's outcomes in some domains but persistence of problems in others. No deterioration was observed. We conclude the article by addressing the strengths and limitations of the evaluation and suggesting recommendations for future practitioner-researcher collaborations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages This paper presents findings from a longitudinal evaluation of a UK charity's network of therapeutic projects for their effectiveness in improving child outcomes following child sexual abuse., Eight intervention projects nationally participated leading to a final sample of 42 children. Children included in this evaluation showed improvement on most measures but the strength of the findings is limited by the lack of comparison group and the number of children and young people recruited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with negative mental and physical health consequences. Neighbourhood police officers (NPOs) are thought to be well placed to identify and support children experiencing ACEs. Within this paper, we describe a qualitative exploration of an initiative deployed by a large UK police force which aimed to aid early identification of young people with ACEs using police data and provide subsequent support given by NPOs. A thematic analysis was conducted using transcripts from three focus groups of NPOs, supplemented by questionnaires. Key themes identified in both sets of data offer reflections for policing and other public service provision seeking to target on the basis of ACEs, including: limitations in the usefulness of police data to identify childhood adversity; challenges using the ACEs framework as a means to target such 'early intervention'; and debates regarding the appropriate role of the police in supporting young people in adversity. Prior to replication of this intervention elsewhere, there are several points to consider: whether police data alone are sufficient in identifying ACEs; ensuring clarity regarding the role of the public sector agencies in such intervention; and determining an apt measure of success for the scheme. Key practitioner messages: Modelling using only police data can provide insight into the population of children who may have suffered from ACEs but may not provide significant opportunities for early interventionThere is a clear need for defining the role of UK police forces in the delivery of early interventionIt is evident that multi‐agency working/data sharing is crucial to preventing the duplication of referrals and interventions conducted with young people who have experienced ACEs 'There is a clear need for defining the role of UK police forces in the delivery of early intervention' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the experience of post-separation fathering, in the context of a prior history of domestic abuse from the perspectives of mothers, fathers, children and professionals participating in a three-year doctoral research project. A mixed methodological research design conducted over two phases involved both the completion of survey questionnaires by 219 mothers and the participation in focus groups and individual interviews by children and young people, mothers, fathers and professionals. The findings highlight clear evidence of post-separation contact facilitating the continued abuse of women and children. The findings also highlight a lack of attention to the parenting of abusive men who were identified as struggling to realise their fathering aspirations and take responsibility for the impact of their abusive behaviour on their children and ex-partners. Particular constructions of family life are found to sustain the often unmonitored presence of abusive men in post-separation family life. This paper concludes by asserting the need to prioritise the construction of fathers as 'risk' in the context of post-separation father-child contact. Doing so does not mean excluding fathers from children's lives; rather, what is critical is to find ways to ensure that abusive men can be 'good enough' fathers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Separation is not a 'vaccine against domestic violence', with women and children at risk of continued abuse in the post-separation period., Abusive men need to be held responsible for their abusive behaviour before the potential for safe contact can be considered., All of the key players - mothers, children and fathers - may need support from the impact that domestic violence has on parenting capacity and family life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental substance misuse has a pervasive impact on family functioning, parenting, and, ultimately, child wellbeing and development. Subsequently, linkages with informal and formal support networks are crucial for ameliorating risk. To facilitate engagement with these families prior to identification in child protection systems, it is vital to understand the factors inhibiting and promoting engagement with informal and formal support. This paper examines how different factors influence informal and formal help‐seeking by alcohol‐misusing parents with regard to parenting and family concerns. Parents reporting alcohol problems in a clinical range (n = 322) were drawn from a representative parent sample (n = 1991). Alcohol‐misusing parents reported low help‐seeking for parenting‐focused support services. The findings particularly highlight the role of age, education, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, parenting stress, empowerment and trust in support services for predicting parents' help‐seeking. 'Examines how different factors influence informal and formal help‐seeking by alcohol‐misusing parents with regard to parenting and family concerns' Key Practitioner Messages: The role of practitioners working in family welfare and child protection services in identifying and facilitating support for alcohol-misusing families is described.Parenting‐focused support services need to be promoted, especially for vulnerable parent populations.Education of service providers along with the wider community is required to foster and increase trust and support uptake before alcohol-misusing families become involved with statutory systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Do all newly qualified primary-level teachers report the same experience of child protection practices in their schools? Drawing on findings from a recent Irish study, this paper will consider the operation of official child protection guidelines in schools based on the reported awareness and knowledge of a sample of newly qualified teachers. Their knowledge of child protection guidelines pertains to experience of induction into child protection practices upon taking up employment in the school and their awareness of a designated liaison person, school child protection policy and the procedures for reporting a suspected child protection issue within the school. The findings of this research indicate that schools' compliance with national guidelines on child protection is certainly inconsistent and such an ad hoc approach can be seen to impact on the perceived confidence levels of newly qualified teachers in dealing with child protection issues in the school. Given the crucial role teachers play in the safeguarding of children and the potential for strengthening this role, this paper argues for the standardisation of the operation of child protection procedures across all schools and the provision of training for all school staff. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Message There is a clear need for enhanced, standardised pre-service and in-school child protection training., New entrants to the teaching profession should automatically be inducted into the school child protection policy., Schools should have clearly articulated child protection policies and action plans which are consistently communicated to staff on a regular basis., The potential for teachers to promote child welfare and protection should be acknowledged and realised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper was to assess the degree and nature of any mismatch between officially recognised child maltreatment and adolescent self-report of adverse child experiences. Participants included 136 adolescents (72 males, 64 females, Mage = 17 years, age range 14-23 years) who had been confirmed as victims of maltreatment prior to age 13 by Child Protective Services. Participants' self-reports were obtained in adolescence, at least four years after identification. Physical neglect was the most prevalent experience found in the records (87%, n = 118). When this experience was assessed through self-report, only 36 per cent ( n = 49) of participants reported physical neglect. Sexual abuse was self-reported by 17 per cent ( n = 23) of the sample, compared with eight per cent ( n = 11) in the records. Only 17 per cent ( n = 23), a small number of self-reports, were consistent with official records. Kappa values show that agreement is low (under 0.40) for seven of the ten categories. Our findings suggest substantial unreliability in the reporting of child abuse and neglect, including household adverse experiences. They also suggest the failure of professionals to discover several adverse experiences during childhood, even after identification by authorities. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Child protection practitioners need to be aware of multiple experiences that can co-occur with the suspicion or situation initially reported to child protection agencies., Little attention is given to protecting children and young people from later re-victimisation., The conclusions from the relationship between childhood maltreatment and later outcomes should be approached with caution when retrospective reports or official data are used alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting laws apply to teachers in many countries of the world. However, such laws have not yet been introduced for teachers in Malaysia, and there is debate about whether the laws should be extended to teachers at all. This paper aimed to investigate the level of support among teachers to assume mandatory reporting duties and to identify factors determining this support in Malaysia. A total of 668 teachers from 14 randomly selected public primary schools completed an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Results showed that 44.4 per cent of the respondents supported legislation requiring teachers to report child abuse. Teachers of Indian ethnicity, those with a shorter duration of service in teaching (< 5 years), the availability of knowledgeable and supportive school staff and a higher level of commitment to reporting were significant factors affecting teachers' support for mandatory reporting. This study provides important insights into factors influencing teachers' support for the introduction of mandatory reporting legislation for teachers in Malaysia. Teachers do not unanimously support these laws and there is a lack of clarity about what such laws will mean for teachers. The data highlight the need for specific training programmes to raise teachers' awareness, build their confidence and enhance their willingness to report child abuse. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Malaysia does not currently have mandatory child maltreatment reporting requirements for teachers., Factors influencing teachers' support for the introduction of mandatory reporting include an attitude of commitment to the duty and the availability of other knowledgeable and supportive school staff., There is a need for specific training programmes to raise teachers' awareness, build their confidence, and enhance their willingness to engage with issues relating to child maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All over the world, poor and illiterate girls living in rural areas are at higher risk of becoming underage marriage than well‐educated girls living in cities. Early marriages exacerbate inequalities between females and males in society and violate children's and women's rights. This study aimed to demonstrate temporal changes in the prevalence of child marriage and underage childbearing in Turkey by exploring the causes of regional variations in the schooling rate. Our retrospective, descriptive and register‐based study obtained input data on childbirth, marriage, population and schooling from official statistics published by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) and the Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education. Based on official statistics, underage childbearing rates decreased from 2002 to 2019 in Turkey. This study outlined significant regional variations in the ratio of childbearing female under 18 to the population that were higher in the northeastern, central eastern, and southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey than in other regions. During the same period, there were downward trends in the number of legal marriages of female aged 16–17 and the number of underage females who gave birth in contrast with an increasing population of girls living in Turkey. In terms of welfare, education and healthcare, developments in Turkey were considered to have contributed to the downward tendency of childbearing and marriages of underage females. However, an increase in the schooling rate of girls was the critical determinant of the observed tendency. Therefore, officially setting the compulsory education age to 18 can help to prevent underage marriage and childbearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide statistics highlight that many adolescents suffer from various types of maltreatment, which often tend to co‐occur in the form of poly‐victimisation. The experience of maltreatment at a young age causes physical and mental health problems, and can also lead to self‐harm and suicide. The aim: To explore the possible impact of maltreatment and poly‐victimisation on adolescent self‐harm and suicide attempts. Participants and settings: In total, 1898 students (15–18 years old) from Lithuanian vocational schools completed the survey (65.5% male). Method: The impact of maltreatment and poly‐victimisation on self‐harm and suicide attempts was tested using multivariable binary logistic regressions. Results: Different maltreatment types were significantly associated to self‐harm (odds ratio from 2.47 to 3.80, p < 0.001) and suicide attempts (odds ratio from 3.15 to 7.58, p < 0.001). The odds ratios for self‐harm and suicide attempt increased as the number of different types of maltreatment experienced increased. A history of experiencing four types of poly‐victimisation increased adolescent risk for self‐harm (OR = 18.57, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 5.77–59.72) and suicide attempts (OR = 45.54, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 14.37–144.28) the most. Conclusion: Adolescents with experience of maltreatment, particularly if poly‐victimised, are at greater risk of engaging in self‐harming and suicidal behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Practitioner Messages: The COVID‐19 pandemic has resulted in negative consequences for children exposed to violence and abuse.Domestic violence refuge staff were greatly concerned about children both living outside and inside refuges.Domestic violence refuges have played a pivotal role during the COVID‐19 pandemic and should receive wider acknowledgement and greater support for their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survivors of clerical institutional childhood abuse (ICA) experience poor mental health outcomes in adulthood. Resilience research with this group has focused on psychological adjustment and we know less about the factors across the social ecology that support positive adaptation, including the impact of migration. This study explores the influence of resilience‐enhancing factors across the social ecology on the mental wellbeing (MWB) of Irish emigrant survivors of ICA and how this compares with non‐migrant survivors. Fifty‐six survivors based in the UK and 46 based in Ireland completed a quantitative survey that assessed resilience‐potentiating resources and associations with MWB. A further nine participants, resident in the UK, engaged in a structured interview which aimed to further explain these quantitative data. Results indicate more resilience‐enhancing resources across the ecology of emigrant survivors of ICA. Personal skills and competencies, such as problem‐focused coping, altruism and defiance, and social inclusion were associated with MWB regardless of country of residence. For the migrant group, social identity not defined by institutional care facilitated social inclusion. Migration to the UK and informal instrumental support in the aftermath of institutional care were identified as key turning points towards resilience. Key Practitioner Messages: Multiple factors across the ecology influence the resilience of survivors of institutional childhood abuse (ICA).Resilience strategies for survivors of ICA are contextual and may appear maladaptive to practitioners unfamiliar with the cultural context of this abuse.For Irish emigrant survivors of ICA, problem‐focused coping, defiance, altruism, social inclusion, instrumental support and a social identity not defined by childhood abuse enhanced resilience.Resilience is dynamic and emerges over time for adult survivors of chronic childhood abuse. 'Explores the influence of resilience‐enhancing factors across the social ecology on the mental wellbeing... of Irish emigrant survivors of institutional childhood abuse' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to explore the role of parental aggression and parental childhood maltreatment experience in the maltreatment of children in Zhejiang Province, eastern China. The study sites were two urban and two rural schools. Children aged ten to 16 years and their parents completed separate questionnaires, which included: parental childhood maltreatment; parental aggressive tendency; and maltreatment of children. Questionnaires were completed by 611 parents and 821 children. Fifty‐eight per cent of parents reported maltreatment of their children. Higher parental aggression scores were associated with an increased risk for all types of child maltreatment (relative risk ratios (RRRs) or odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 1.06–1.07 for each point higher on the aggression scale). Parental childhood maltreatment was significantly associated with an increased risk of moderate/severe physical maltreatment of children (OR = 1.80 (1.08, 3.00)); parental aggression was an explanatory factor for this association. Parental childhood maltreatment was positively associated with emotional maltreatment of children (OR = 1.89 (1.27, 2.83)). This was partly explained by parental aggression. In conclusion, high levels of child maltreatment were admitted by parents in China, suggesting the need for parenting education. Parents with a higher aggressive tendency were more likely to maltreat children. Parental aggressive tendency was an explanatory factor for the intergenerational transmission of maltreatment, indicating the possibility of identifying parents' aggressive tendencies for early prevention. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 'Explore[s] the role of parental aggression and parental childhood maltreatment experience in the maltreatment of children in Zhejiang Province' Key Practitioner Messages: Child maltreatment of all types is common in China. What is especially striking is the finding that nearly a fifth of parents admitted to moderate/severe maltreatment of their children.Parents with a higher aggressive tendency were more likely to use all types of maltreatment with their children.Parental aggression was an explanatory factor for the intergenerational transmission of moderate/severe physical maltreatment and emotional maltreatment. 'Child maltreatment of all types is common in China' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweden and Finland were the first countries to ban corporal punishment 30 years ago. Since then, the prevalence of attitudes supporting the use of corporal punishment and the practice itself have decreased. This study examines the current frequencies of corporal punishment and other humiliating upbringing practices in Finnish and Swedish families. The analysis is based on survey data among 3170 Finnish and 1358 Swedish parents with children from newborn to 12 years of age. Data were analysed using univariate tests (chi-square) and logistic regression. According to the analysis, a larger proportion of Finnish parents, and especially mothers, use humiliating upbringing practices compared to Swedish parents. This difference is not found with regard to corporal punishment. A larger proportion of Finnish parents push their children compared to Swedish parents, while a larger proportion of Swedish parents shake their children. In both countries, corporal punishment is more frequently used by fathers, boys are more often victimised than girls, toddlers are more often exposed to corporal punishment and school-age children are more often subjected to psychologically abusive practices. Corporal punishment and other humiliating upbringing practices are strongly correlated in both countries. The differences found between countries were not explained by socio-demographic factors. Key Practitioner Messages Use of corporal punishment is still quite common among Finnish and Swedish parents., Parents use corporal punishment more often towards children aged two to six years while other humiliating upbringing practices are used more often towards children above age six., The differences between Finland and Sweden in the use of corporal punishment and other humiliating upbringing practices are not explained by traditional socioeconomic characteristics, nor by the parents' own experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical evaluations for suspected child sexual abuse carry a significant medico-legal burden and are often performed in a variety of clinical settings, by clinicians with different levels of expertise and experience. Peer review or professional practice evaluation is an important component for quality assurance. We surveyed 255 programmes which provided sexual abuse evaluations which were identified through queries with national child abuse professional organisations. We sought information on team composition and setting, patient population characteristics and each site's peer review process. Of the 129 responding programmes, 42 per cent (n = 44) reported having a written peer review process. There were no differences between practice types with regards to having a written peer review process, the percentage of cases reviewed, the documentation type reviewed or the percentage reporting an external review process. The majority of programmes (n = 89, 85%) reported that they review both chart and photo documentation during the peer review process. Our data support that most programmes involved in child maltreatment evaluations undergo some form of peer review, but there exists a large amount of heterogeneity in the process by which it occurs. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages: Peer review is an important process to ensure high quality of clinical practice., The majority (80%) of programmes which perform child sexual abuse evaluations reported performing some form of peer review., Most peer review involves both chart and photo documentation reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about risk and protective factors for emotional and physical child abuse in South Africa. Existing research has focused largely on sexual abuse and relied on recollections of childhood abuse from university and high-school students or data from criminal reports. The objective of this study was to establish risk and protective factors for severe physical and emotional abuse amongst a large cross-sectional community sample of South African youth. Confidential self-report questionnaires were completed by children aged 13-19 (n = 603, 47.9% female) with local interviewers in deprived areas of South Africa. Standardised measures of abuse, hypothesised risk factors and socio-demographic variables were used. Factors associated with severe physical and emotional child abuse were experience of family conflict ( p = 0.003), unequal food distribution ( p < 0.014), inconsistent discipline ( p = 0.012), number of caregiver changes ( p = 0.022), living with a step-parent ( p = 0.034), caregiver disability ( p = 0.004), food insecurity ( p = 0.006), bullying ( p < 0.001), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related stigma ( p < 0.001), sexual abuse ( p = 0.003), school non-attendance ( p = 0.006) and non-achievement ( p = 0.015). These identified risk and protective factors at community, school, caregiver and household levels have the potential to affect the risk of abuse for children in South Africa, and may be valuable fields for future intervention efforts. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Risk and protective factors for physical and emotional child abuse have not been thoroughly studied in South Africa., Risk and protective factors for child abuse in South Africa include poverty, AIDS-related stigma, bullying, school non-attendance and achievement, sexual abuse, caregiver disability, inconsistent discipline, family conflict and living with a step-parent., Future research should focus on longitudinal data to establish causality and to examine the relationship between child abuse and caregiver AIDS sickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article draws on findings from research into the implementation by local safeguarding children boards (local government multi-agency panels responsible for child protection in England) of national guidance on safeguarding children from child sexual exploitation (CSE). Despite there being some excellent examples of practice, a lack of awareness of the issues faced by sexually exploited children or a lack of resources to address them meant that only a quarter were implementing the dual aim of the guidance: protecting children and prosecuting abusers. The research developed a data monitoring tool, its use showing that children experiencing CSE had multiple problems, many already receiving support from a range of service providers for other related problems. This suggests that there might be scope for better early identification and prevention of CSE. The research showed new forms of CSE, including peer-on-peer sexual exploitation, raising important questions about engaging with children who were both perpetrators and victims of abuse. Finally, research findings identified methods of disrupting and prosecuting abusers, giving insight into some of the complexities involved in achieving both. In the main, safeguarding children was best facilitated through co-located multi-agency teams where child protection and law enforcement practitioners worked together. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages: Local safeguarding children boards have a key responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation and disrupt and prosecute abusers., Sexually exploited children experience a range of different problems, and are often known to service providers who need better training to respond to the abuse., Exploitation is changing, including peer-on-peer sexual violence., Protection can be achieved through co-located multi-agency teams supported by direct service provision to young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research conducted to investigate the experiences of young witnesses before, during and after trials in Northern Ireland. Researchers conducted interviews with 37 witnesses and 33 parents and questioned 16 people who worked in a young witness support scheme. Researchers found that the prospect and actuality of giving evidence in a criminal trial are anxiety-provoking and stressful for young witnesses and that interrogation methods used with the witnesses need improvement.

Previous studies have suggested that child abuse and neglect (CAN) is under recognised and under reported. Our aims were to examine and compare child protection (CP) knowledge, confidence and practice of frontline clinicians in general practice and hospital settings in South Western Sydney (SWS). We surveyed doctors and nurses in general practice and in the emergency department (ED) in a district in SWS using a validated questionnaire. Of the 113 responses, 62 were general practitioners (GPs), 9 practice nurses, 26 ED nurses and 16 ED doctors. The confidence level with identifying CAN was moderate, with a significant difference between groups. The majority (59%) had made previous CP reports, few suspected but decided not to report; reporting rates differed significantly. A majority (80%) reported some CP training; of the 22 with no training, 21 were GPs and practice nurses. Of those reporting some training, more than 70 per cent of ED nurses, GPs and practice nurses felt their training was inadequate, compared with 19 per cent of ED doctors. There are significant differences in confidence and practice between frontline clinicians in primary care and ED. Targeted CP training should be provided for all frontline clinicians with particular emphasis on primary care GPs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]