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Since all policies address problems, they necessarily include implicit or explicit constructions of these problems. This paper explores how child maltreatment has been constructed in New Zealand's child protection policies. It questions the underlying assumptions of this problem construction and seeks to shed light on what has been omitted. Utilizing a qualitative content analysis of eight key policy documents, this study reveals the construction of child maltreatment has been dominated primarily by a child-centric, risk-focused approach. This approach assigns blame and shifts responsibilities onto parents and families. In addition, the vulnerability discourse and social investment approach underpinning this perspective have allowed important structural factors, such as poverty and inequality, to remain unaddressed. This paper also highlights the one-dimensional focus on the lower social class to control future liabilities. We suggest that the harm inflicted by corporations on children's well-being is another form of child exploitation currently omitted from the problem construction. We suggest that child abuse should be defined and understood in policy as harm to children's well-being and argue that the state should prevent and mitigate harm by addressing structural forces of the problem as well as protecting children against corporate harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on addressing the need for empirical data regarding the legal system's responses to child abuse and neglect. Topics include implementation and effectiveness of law enforcement strategies for identifying, investigating, and clearing cases of child maltreatment and child trafficking; and treatment to poor legal outcomes such as involvement in juvenile delinquency or adult criminality.

An up‐to‐date and accurate picture of the evidence on the impact of poverty is a necessary element of the debate about the future direction of children's social care services internationally. The purpose of this paper is to update evidence about the relationship between poverty and child abuse and neglect (CAN) published since a previous report in 2016 (Bywaters et al., 2016). A systematic search was conducted, identifying seven reviews. Poverty was found to be consistently and strongly associated with maltreatment, be that in terms of familial or community‐level poverty, or in terms of economic security. Findings demonstrated that both the type and the quantity of economic insecurities impacted child maltreatment. Certain economic insecurities – income losses, cumulative material hardship and housing hardship – reliably predicted future child maltreatment. Likewise, as families experienced more material hardship, the risk for maltreatment intensified. In some studies, the relationship between poverty and maltreatment differed by abuse type. Future reviews need to investigate individual papers and their findings across different CAN measures, definitions, samples, abuse types and conceptualisations of poverty to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current research base and the directions which need to be taken to further understand and prevent CAN. Key Practitioner Messages: Poverty should be a central theme in work with families, and visible in assessments, case conferences and court reports.Research indicates that child protection practices need to move away from a narrow focus on parental risk to harmful contexts and ways of addressing these in which society, communities and families can provide environments where harm is minimised, and children are enabled to flourish.Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between poverty and CAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern among adolescents with major depressive disorders (MDD). Although previous research has linked child maltreatment (CM) to NSSI, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between CM, cognitive reappraisal (CR), negative coping styles (NC) and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, from the perspectives of both Latent Variable Theory and the Network Theory of Mental Disorder. Methods: A sample of 651 adolescents with MDD was recruited from January to December 2023. Data on CM, CR, NC, and NSSI were collected through paper-based self-reported questionnaires. Data analysis primarily involved structural equation modeling and network analysis. Results: The reporting rate of NSSI among adolescents with MDD was 48.2%. CM showed a significant positive correlation with NSSI. NSSI was affected by CM through three paths: the mediating role of CR, the mediating role of NC, and the chain mediating role of both CR and NC. Emotional abuse (EA) was the central node, while NSSI, EA, and "The urge to cry quietly when faced with troubles"(NC10) were the key bridge nodes. Conclusions: This study is the first to use both structural equation modeling and network analysis to explore the explore the relationship between CM, CR, NC, and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, providing a theoretical basis for future early prevention and targeted interventions for adolescents with MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against children is a complex social, health, and legal issue in Canada associated with poor physical and mental health (PHAC, 2012; Burczyka, 2017). Eliminating violence against children is a target of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations General Assembly in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2022). While the SDGs were developed to provide international indicators to assess the progress of signatory nations, insufficient data prevented an evaluation of Canada (UNICEF, n.d. a). Although national, population-based child maltreatment research was underdeveloped in Canada prior to 2012, Statistics Canada, the nation's statistical agency, has been collecting data since the 1960s. However, it may be difficult for researchers to navigate the range of data sources available to study child maltreatment in Canada because they span multiple topics. This paper provides an overview of national survey and administrative data sources capturing child maltreatment housed by Statistics Canada and other government departments. These data may inform future data collection on child maltreatment and assess Canada's progress on SDG indicators related to the protection of children from violence. The paper concludes with a discussion of the benefits of using survey and administrative data, a new methodology to study child maltreatment, gaps in child maltreatment research, and policy implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An outbreak of the COVID-19 disease in 2020 and resulting social restrictions forced many medical facilities to modify admission protocols and increased the use of health services. The stay-at-home orders also contributed to a change in the volume of the emergency admissions as well as their causes. Materials and methods: The available electronic databases were searched for papers concerning pediatric trauma admissions, referrals, and visits during the coronavirus outbreak and in the previous year. The quality of included papers was assessed via National Institutes of Health National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH NHLBI) Study Quality Assessment Toolbox. Results: The overall workload in pediatric emergency medical care during the COVID-19 outbreak declined by 40.13% (95% CI 18.7–61.6) compared to the previous year. A massive decline in the pediatric trauma admissions was observed during the coronavirus outbreak. The sport-related accidents were supplanted mainly by those that occurred at home. The child abuse injuries arising during the outbreak seemed to remain undetected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Forgotten Australians" are the estimated half a million children who were placed in institutional care in Australia from the 1920s to the 1980s. Increasing numbers are entering older age but many are poorly positioned to age well and with the supports they need. This is often because the lasting effects of childhood institutional care have contributed to poor housing outcomes, including housing insecurity, reliance on social housing, prevalence of rental stress and experiences of homelessness. This paper presents a review of the evidence on the housing experiences and outcomes of people who spent time in childhood institutional care. The evidence review was complemented by qualitative interviews with community service practitioners and representatives of advocacy groups. Based on the prior evidence and fieldwork, we identify data and service gaps that are likely to undermine the capacity of the housing and aged care sectors to improve the care and supports available for Forgotten Australians. We suggest potential improvements to service delivery for people who experienced institutional care as children and directions for further research. This paper contributes to a stronger evidence base around the housing and care needs of Forgotten Australians in mid‐ and later life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, the law, dental and forensic literature has included numerous articles concerning abused children. The orofacial structures are injured frequently in the maltreated child. Injuries of the neck, head, face, and oral cavity represent the most affected areas of the victim's body that routinely sustain physical trauma in child maltreatment cases. This literature review aimed to report the state of art of child abuse from the point of view of the dentist with focus on studies in dental aspects of child abuse and neglect of the last ten years. Considering the time slot, 20 papers were included with the following inclusion criteria: papers published in English, all keywords included in the title, articles available on PubMed. Many of the injuries are within the scope of dentistry or easily observed by the dental professional during routine dental treatment, and it is essential that the dentist recognizes them. Concerning neglect, it is appropriate to make a distinction between deliberate parental behavior that has the consequence of unavoidable and voluntary neglect towards their children and those conditions of involuntary carelessness determined by socio-economic and cultural factors such as family isolation, lack of finances, parental ignorance, or lack of perceived value of oral health. Therefore, it is relevant that the dentist pays attention to the cases to report and those that only need help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Child abuse represents an important issue in the medico-legal and social context. In the last few decades, various aspects and mechanisms have been identified in child abuse case studies; however, constant research is needed in the field. With this paper, the authors will present a case of a new entity of Abusive Head Trauma that has come to the attention of medico-legal experts. Discussion: The trauma analysis performed on the cranio-encephalic district of the baby revealed quite peculiar lesions that led the authors to exclude that the injuries had been solely caused by violent shaking of the baby's head, as suggested by Shaken Baby Syndrome. Instead, the authors hypothesised that another lesion mechanism had been added to this one, namely latero-lateral cranial compression. The comprehensive and exhaustive analysis of the case led the authors to present a new possible entity in child abuse trauma, namely 'Compressed Baby Head'. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, in the current literature, no similar clinical cases have ever been described. Thus, the case's uniqueness deserves to be brought to the attention of experts and the entire scientific community, as well as medical personnel, paediatricians, and reanimators. These professional figures are the first individuals who may encounter complex clinical cases such as the one presented in this paper; thus, they need to know how to properly manage the case and ensure protection for the abused infants and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to educate forensic interviewers about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and tools for interviewing youth with ASD when there are concerns of child sexual abuse (CSA). Design/methodology/approach: Research is reviewed to discuss risk factors for CSA in youth with ASD, why CSA is often not recognized and research-based strategies for forensically interviewing youth with ASD. Findings: Youth with ASD are at increased risk of CSA compared to neurotypical peers, but recognition of CSA in youth with ASD can be difficult. Forensic interviewing strategies can help interviewers obtain reports of CSA from youth with ASD. Practical implications: Given the increase in prevalence of ASD and the increased risk of CSA, forensic interviewers need to have information about ASD, about why CSA may not be recognized, about risk factors for CSA and, especially, about how to accommodate for ASD when conducting forensic interviews. Originality/value: This paper provides a novel framework for considering evidence-based practices for forensically interviewing youth with ASD when there are concerns of CSA. Specifically, this paper includes multiple, but related areas, in one article including research related to ASD, risk factors for CSA in those with ASD, obstacles to identifying CSA and the implications of this research for specific strategies regarding how to forensically interview youth with ASD when there are concerns of CSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States Supreme Court's decision in Dobb's v. Jackson Women's Health Organization has heightened interest in the link between restrictions on abortion access and child maltreatment. Connecting decreased access to abortion to increases in child maltreatment and subsequent foster care entries presents substantive challenges related to the magnitude of any effect of abortion restrictions, methodological challenges related to limitations of existing sources of national child welfare data, and conceptual challenges related to the structure and function of child welfare systems. In this paper, we explore these substantive, methodological and conceptual challenges. Specifically, we consider both the actual impact of abortion restrictions on the occurrence of abortions and the complexities that studying the link between abortion restrictions and child maltreatment presents. We caution researchers about making causal links between abortion restrictions and either child maltreatment or foster care entries without sufficiently documenting limitations of national sources of child welfare data and accounting for multiple confounding factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide rates are markedly high among children with foster care involvement. Transition-age youth (TAY) who age-out of the foster care system are at particularly high risk. Analyzing data from the California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study (n=727), this paper explores the descriptive characteristics of TAY who engage in suicidal behavior with the goals of better identifying, understanding, and supporting those at risk. We report rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt at four interview waves (ages 17, 19, 21, 23) and examine differences in rates by sociodemographic characteristics, past maltreatment, and behavioral health disorders. At age 17, 42% of California Youth Transitions to Adulthood Study participants had thought of committing suicide and 24% had attempted suicide. Across ages, sexual minority youth reported significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation and behavior than their heterosexual peers. We also found that youth with (1) maltreatment experiences (both before and during foster care); (2) major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder; and (3) alcohol/substance abuse disorders were significantly more likely than their peers without these characteristics/diagnoses to engage in suicidal behavior at certain ages. Youth with comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders were consistently at elevated risk. Routine screening for suicidal behavior among TAY is important for child welfare service providers to consider. Youth at risk may benefit from more consistent assessment, mental health care, and targeted mental health intervention. Future research is needed to shed light on mechanisms linking certain sociodemographic, experiential, and behavioral health characteristics with suicidal behavior in TAY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: The global outbreak of COVID‐19 has become an international concern. The lives of children are severely affected by COVID‐19 pandemic. There is evidence of a pandemic impact on violence against children. This scoping review study aimed to investigate the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic on child abuse. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to retrieve related studies. Regarding the recent incident of COVID‐19, the articles were reviewed from 2019 to June 1, 2021. The terms Child abuse and COVID‐19 were used in the precise search technique of each database. The search techniques were created to work with any scientific database that used the keywords given. Results: In the initial search of scientific databases, 568 articles were retrieved. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria during the screening process, 16 papers were included in the scoping review. Twelve articles have mentioned the increase of physical, psychological, and neglect types of abuse. However, sexual violence has not been reported in any of the articles. Four articles reported a reduction in the incidence of child abuse. Conclusion: During the COVID‐19 pandemic, a crisis occurred in the form of an upsurge in violence toward children, since limits made to diminish the virus, in general, increased the danger to children. Numerous factors such as stress, poverty, financial situation, history of violence, school closures, and lack of contact with support organizations contribute to this phenomenon. Social action and support needed is the right of every child in need in this critical situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disruptive behavior difficulties, such as aggression, non-compliance, and emotional outbursts, are common among children exposed to maltreatment. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an effective parenting intervention for addressing child behavior difficulties, however, treatment retention and engagement among parents remain a concern in the clinical setting. This paper describes how the delivery of an intervention that teaches attachment theory concepts (Circle of Security-Parenting, COS-P) prior to PCIT can increase engagement and retention among parents of maltreated children and inform new coaching practices. A detailed description of how to extend and integrate COS-P concepts with PCIT for maltreated families using specific strategies is provided. Recommendations, limitations, and next steps for research are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the experiences of US child welfare professionals during the COVID pandemic. Using an online survey, we report on a convenience sample of 444 child welfare workers. The majority reported receiving adequate guidance on staying safe; 86.3% were given access to face masks. Workers reported 75.8% of clients used masks; 10.7% reported contracting COVID through work. About 80% worried that child clients were more at-risk. Workers who felt the most supported and least at-risk were those with stay-at-home orders. Results are discussed in terms of supporting child welfare professionals during periods of crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dental professionals could play a significant role in identifying, documenting and reporting child maltreatment to appropriate authorities as children are exposed to various maltreatments that can present in the head and neck region. Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the level of knowledge, awareness and attitude among dental professionals regarding child maltreatment and to identify the barriers that prevent reporting suspected maltreatment. Methodology: The present cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted on dental professionals practising in India by emailing a self-structured questionnaire to assess knowledge, awareness and attitude regarding child maltreatment. Results: 422 dental professionals participated in the survey of which 270 were females. A significant difference was observed in mean knowledge (p=.015), awareness (p=.014) score of the participants with regard to place of work and mean knowledge score (p=.024) of the participants with regard to educational qualification. 300 participants reported that lack of adequate knowledge and awareness about the role of dental professionals regarding child maltreatment is one of the major barriers that prevent reporting child maltreatment. Conclusion: Findings of the study showed that 43.8% of participants had good knowledge and 44.8% were fairly aware regarding child maltreatment. 86.7% of participants showed a very good attitude towards learning more about the role of dental professionals in the management of child maltreatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) and child maltreatment are preventable threats to child health. Few evidence-based interventions target both SHS and child maltreatment risk. The purpose of this paper is to describe the systematic braiding process of two evidence-based programs to address child SHS in the home and maltreatment perpetration risk, and present results from the formative work and pilot study. Methods: The first 4 steps of the systematic braiding process were completed, including the following: (1) the identification of core elements of both programs, (2) the development of an initial draft of the braided curriculum (Smoke-Free Home SafeCare — SFH-SC), (3) an acceptability and feasibility pilot of SFH-SC with caregivers of young children who reported a smoker living in the home (N = 8), and (4) feedback collection on the braided curriculum from SafeCare Providers (N = 9). Results: Experts identified common pedagogical and theoretical underpinnings for the two programs and braided Smoke-Free Homes: Some Things Are Better Outside into two SafeCare modules. Caregiver feedback from the pilot demonstrated that participants were engaged with SFH-SC and felt supported and comfortable discussing SHS intervention content with the SFH-SC Provider. Caregiver self-reports indicated a slight increase in smoke-free home rules from baseline to follow-up and a notable reduction in parent stress on the Parent Stress Index of 5.9 points (SD = 10.2). SafeCare Provider feedback following intensive review of the curriculum indicated high feasibility for SFH-SC delivery. Conclusions: Parent and Provider findings suggest SFH-SC is a viable intervention that has potential to reduce the public health impact of SHS and child maltreatment for at-risk families. Protocol: The protocol for the pilot is not published elsewhere; however, the full protocol for the hybrid trial can be found here: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05000632. Trial registration: NCT, NCT05000632. Registered 14 July 2021, there is not a separate registration number for the pilot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Traumatic head injury due to child maltreatment (THI-CM), also known as abusive head trauma (AHT), is a significant public health problem due to the wide array of consequences affecting multiple domains of a child's health and development. Several studies have evaluated its cost on healthcare systems, families, and societies. Many jurisdictions have implemented caregiver education programs to prevent THI-CM. Objectives: This paper aims to provide a brief overview of the epidemiology and cost analysis of THI-CM and discuss its prevention and the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment. Methods: Although not systematic, a literature search of original articles published from 2000 to 2022 in English and French was undertaken using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), and PsycINFO (OVID). The search combined terms related to traumatic head injury and child maltreatment, with terms related to its cost and prevention. Studies of children aged 0–5 years old were included. The authors completed a screen of the titles and abstracts to determine relevance with respect to this article. Results: Globally, although THI-CM accounts for a small proportion of cases of child maltreatment, there is a high incidence of death and neurological sequelae compared to other causes of head trauma.The incidence of THI-CM is likely underestimated due to the lack of standardized definitions, differences in reporting, and challenges in identifying less severe cases. Cost analysis studies reveal the significant short- and long-term costs associated with THI-CM. Caregiver education programs have been studied and implemented in many centers and have shown varying but promising results. Conclusion: A multi-pronged approach to prevention efforts should be considered to support families and help to prevent THI-CM and maltreatment throughout childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous methods are used in the measurement of child maltreatment (CM) exposure. As a science, it is necessary that the field of CM research evaluate its measurement approaches periodically to ensure that the common approaches are the best approaches. A prominent method for measuring CM in research as a predictor variable is to conceptualize CM as a two-level, yes/no binary variable (e.g., 0 = No CM exposure, 1 = CM exposure). While there is no consensus on what method is the best approach for measuring CM, empirical evidence suggests that the binary measurement approach to CM has significant limitations. The current paper sought to progress the field of CM and trauma research forward by reviewing several lines of research demonstrating why the use of a binary yes/no CM measurement approach is problematic. As evidence for why a binary measurement of CM should be halted, this paper reviews research on: why the characteristics or details of CM exposure matter, risk of CM "contamination," and CM's relation with environmental or systemic factors. The ethical and clinical implications of a CM binary measurement approach are also discussed. Several recommendations for the field are provided on how researchers can improve the measurement of CM and ensure accurate and replicable studies are being published. • Child maltreatment research requires an evaluation of its measurement practices. • There are many concerns related to measuring child maltreatment as a binary variable. • Researchers should consider a multidimensional approach to maltreatment measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little knowledge exists on how evaluators in child custody and child maltreatment cases are informed by guidelines, the kinds of qualifications required and the types of training provided in different countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide an international preliminary comparison on how child custody and child maltreatment risk assessments are conducted in selected Western countries, and how the assessments are informed by best practice guidelines. Another aim is to increase knowledge on how the guidelines and best-practice standards could be developed further to reflect recent research findings. A total number of 18 guidelines were included in the analyses: four from Canada, five from the United States, three from the United Kingdom, three from the Netherlands, two from Finland, and one from Germany. We conducted a content analysis of the included guidelines in the database, focusing on how the guidelines address the best interest of the child criteria, guidelines for conducting the assessments, considerations for evaluative criteria, and specific guidance for conducting specific assessment procedures (e.g., interviews and observations). Findings show that the qualifications of and training provided to evaluators in child custody and child maltreatment risk evaluations are largely heterogeneous across the countries represented. Guidelines differ in whether and how they highlight the importance of evidence-based practices and scientifically validated assessment measures. Implications are drawn from the review and contextualized by international expert authors in the fields of forensic psychology, and family law. After the content analysis, discussion sessions within the expert group were held. The authors provide both commentaries and suggestions to improve the development of standard methods for conducting both child custody and child maltreatment risk evaluations and to consider a more transparent and judicious use of social science research to guide methods and the recommendations offered within these assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Army Family Advocacy Program (Army FAP) strives to prevent family violence and intervene to reduce the deleterious effects of exposure to family violence. This paper examines the individual, family, community, and treatment factors associated with family violence revictimization. Case files of 134 families with substantiated child maltreatment and associated Army FAP interventions that closed in 2013 were coded across risk and protective factors and intervention characteristics and were matched to Army Central Registry files to identify revictimization rates through 2017. Revictimization, experienced by 23% of families, was predicted by community risk and reduced by intervention dose. With the high rates of relocations, housing or neighborhood issues, and the isolation military families experience and the relationship of these concerns to repeated family violence, identifying the impact of community risk is particularly important. Similarly, research that elucidates the effective treatment components is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread across the United States, resulting in significant changes in almost all aspects daily life. These changes place parents at increased risk for parental burnout. Parental burnout is a chronic condition resulting from high levels of parenting-related stress due to a mismatch between the demands of parenting and the resources available for parents to meet those demands. Research on parental burnout has suggested that parents who experience burnout are more likely to engage in child abuse and neglect, placing children at risk for detrimental short- and long-term outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to review the concept of parental burnout, discuss parental burnout in the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and focus specifically on the effects of child maltreatment. Implications for practitioners will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying which approaches can effectively reduce the need for out-of-home care for children is critically important. Despite the proliferation of different interventions and approaches globally, evidence summaries on this topic are limited. This study is a scoping review using a realist framework to explore what research evidence exists about reducing the number of children and young people in care. Searches of databases and websites were used to identify studies evaluating intervention effect on at least one of the following outcomes: reduction in initial entry to care; increase in family reunification post care. Data extracted from papers included type of study, outcome, type and level of intervention, effect, mechanism and moderator, implementation issues and economic (EMMIE) considerations. Data were coded by: primary outcome; level of intervention (community, policy, organisation, family or child); and type of evidence, using the realist EMMIE framework. This is the first example of a scoping review on any topic using this framework. Evaluated interventions were grouped and analysed according to system-level mechanism. We present the spread of evidence across system-level mechanisms and an overview of how each system-level mechanism might reduce the number of children in care. Implications and gaps are identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that two interrelated factors have played important roles in the emergence of academic analyses of child protection policies and practices: the evidence of growing strains and crises in child protection systems over the last forty years; and the development of comparative research on different systems. The latter has demonstrated that child protection policies and practices vary between different countries such that the differences could not be explained by differences in the nature of child maltreatment in the different societies—other political, social, and cultural factors were at play. This paper outlines the nature of these key developments and the conceptual frameworks which have emerged to explain the differences. A significant positive outcome is that such conceptual frameworks can be drawn upon for furthering our analyses of different policies, practices and systems and their possible reform and improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Scottish government plans a more preventive and partnership‐oriented approach to child protection. However, it has not recently published statistics on the number of child protection investigations. This paper analyses data from a request for information from government. It shows a rate of 153 investigations per 10 000 children aged 0–17 in 2017/18. There were wide variations in rates of investigations across Scottish local authorities. Almost three‐quarters of investigations in 2017/18 did not lead to the child being placed on the child protection register. A small association between investigation rates and local authority deprivation suggests that factors other than deprivation at the local authority level are at play in decisions to investigate child protection. There has been an increase of investigations by one‐third in the last two years with no change in the numbers starting a child protection plan. These trends raise the possibility that concerns about the preventive approach net‐widening and leading to more rather than less children drawn into the formal child protection system may have some basis. The limited nature of published statistical data in Scotland means that policies and activities, which are carried out with large amounts of public funding, receive limited public scrutiny. Key Practitioner Messages: One investigation was conducted for every 65 children in Scotland in 2017/18.One child in 23 was investigated before the age of four.Rates of investigation vary widely between local authorities.One in four investigations are likely to lead to a child protection registration.There was a 33 per cent increase in investigations in the most recent two years with no change in child protection registrations.Investigations harm families and lessen the chances of engaging them with support. 'The limited nature of published statistical data in Scotland means that policies and activities, which are carried out with large amounts of public funding, receive limited public scrutiny' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many parents who interact with the child welfare system present with substance use issues, which means their children are at risk for prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. Because child welfare agencies play an important role in identifying and providing services to mitigate negative impacts of prenatal exposures, we conducted a search for literature addressing child welfare information sources, policies, and practices related to this population. The search yielded 16 research/evaluation and 16 policy/practice papers, with most addressing exposures to both alcohol and other drugs. The literature most commonly reports that children identified as exposed are referred to child protection agencies during the newborn period. This practice may lead to underidentification, especially of children with prenatal exposure to alcohol. Research suggests that this population is at risk for poorer child welfare outcomes and that there are specific service needs for these children. This review indicates that there is an overall lack of research literature regarding identification of prenatally exposed children involved in the child welfare system that could best inform child welfare policies and practices. Studies investigating how the child welfare system identifies and cares for children with prenatal exposures are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment is a major public health problem with significant consequences for individual victims and for society. In this paper, we quantify for the first time the economic costs of fatal and nonfatal child maltreatment in the UK in relation to several short‐, medium‐, and long‐term outcomes ranging from physical and mental health problems to labor market outcomes and welfare use. We combine novel regression analysis of rich data from the National Child Development Study and the English Longitudinal Study of Aging with secondary evidence to produce an incidence‐based estimate of the lifetime costs of child maltreatment from a societal perspective. The discounted average lifetime incidence cost of nonfatal child maltreatment by a primary caregiver is estimated at £89,390 (95% uncertainty interval £44,896 to £145,508); the largest contributors to this are costs from social care, short‐term health, and long‐term labor market outcomes. The discounted lifetime cost per death from child maltreatment is estimated at £940,758, comprising health care and lost productivity costs. Our estimates provide the first comprehensive benchmark to quantify the costs of child maltreatment in the UK and the benefits of interventions aimed at reducing or preventing it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unintentional pediatric ingestions of substances can lead to serious and even fatal consequences in children1 and raises concern for supervisory neglect. Supervisory neglect occurs when a caregiver's supervisory decisions or behaviors place a child in their care at significant risk for physical, emotional or psychological harm.2 A caregiver who is taking prescription medication or who uses recreational or therapeutic substances, such as cannabis, must protect children in their care from accessing these potentially harmful drugs. Studies have demonstrated that unintentional cannabis ingestions by children has increased in states that have legalized medical and recreational cannabis.3 Given the changing laws surrounding cannabis in Rhode Island, this study aims to provide a conceptual framework to diagnose, manage and understand supervisory neglect when children present to care with a cannabis ingestion. Additionally, this paper provides guidance for providers to help prevent unintentional cannabis ingestions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since all policies address problems, they necessarily include implicit or explicit constructions of these problems. This paper explores how child maltreatment has been constructed in New Zealand’s child protection policies. It questions the underlying assumptions of this problem construction and seeks to shed light on what has been omitted. Utilizing a qualitative content analysis of eight key policy documents, this study reveals the construction of child maltreatment has been dominated primarily by a child-centric, risk-focused approach. This approach assigns blame and shifts responsibilities onto parents and families. In addition, the vulnerability discourse and social investment approach underpinning this perspective have allowed important structural factors, such as poverty and inequality, to remain unaddressed. This paper also highlights the one-dimensional focus on the lower social class to control future liabilities. We suggest that the harm inflicted by corporations on children’s well-being is another form of child exploitation currently omitted from the problem construction. We suggest that child abuse should be defined and understood in policy as harm to children’s well-being and argue that the state should prevent and mitigate harm by addressing structural forces of the problem as well as protecting children against corporate harms.

The "Hispanic Paradox" refers to a commonly noted tendency for Hispanic immigrants to have good health outcomes relative to risks faced. This paper demonstrates the presence of the Hispanic Paradox relative to child maltreatment, with a focus on how it appears to "fade" generationally. To use national child maltreatment and census data to determine if the protective effects of the Hispanic Paradox are weaker ("fade") for counties with fewer foreign-born Hispanics. Census data, including the percentage of Hispanics in a county who were foreign-born, was used to predict child maltreatment rates as observed in the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System. The analysis was done at a county level and included a number of covariates (e.g. Hispanic Median Income, Rural/Urban status...). We included national child maltreatment data at the county level. A negative binomial mixed effects model showed that for each point of increase in the percentage of the Hispanic foreign-born population of a county, the county Hispanic child maltreatment rate was expected to drop by 1 %. Variation in Hispanic national origin (i.e. Puerto Rico) was found to significantly moderate this relationship. Counties with higher percentages of foreign-born Hispanics have lower child maltreatment rates after controlling for other factors. This is consistent with emerging findings in the child mortality data and suggests that for child maltreatment, the Hispanic Paradox may fade generationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: School bullying, a serious problem for the physical and mental health of adolescents, is presently a significant issue in China. It is essential to recognize and comprehend potential risk factors and establish efficient preventive strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between childhood maltreatment and school bullying in adolescents and to assess the mediating role of peer relationships. Methods: Between March and April 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2119 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years in Guangdong Province, China. Self-report questionnaires were employed to collect data on childhood maltreatment, school bullying, and peer relationships. Subgroup analyses and mediating effects modeling were employed to analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that adolescents who had experienced maltreatment were more at risk of bullying victimization (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 2.34–3.64, P < 0.001), bullying perpetration (OR: 2.84, 95% CI: 1.99–4.05, P < 0.001), and bully-victimization (OR: 2.93, 95% CI: 1.95–4.41, P < 0.001), compared to adolescents who have not. Sexual abuse showed the most significant connection with all forms of bullying. The mediating effect of peer relationships was found to mediate the association between child maltreatment and bullying behaviour. The results indicated that worse peer relationships may exacerbate the adverse effects of maltreatment experiences and increase the risk of adolescents becoming bullies, either perpetrators or victims of bullying. Conclusions: Child maltreatment has been identified as one of the most significant influences on bullying behaviour in adolescents. The quality of peer relationships has been demonstrated to play an important role in preventing and reducing the occurrence of bullying. The results underscore the crucial role of early intervention in cases of child maltreatment and the fostering of positive peer relationships in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stigma is a key barrier to disclosing traumatic experiences of violence in childhood with adverse consequences for help-seeking behaviour. Disclosing behavior differs by gender and the form of violence experienced. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies that address societal perceptions of males and females with a history of sexual or physical violence in childhood. Therefore, our aim is to focus on the impact of gender on the perception of individuals who experienced sexual or physical violence in childhood. Methods: We conducted a study on a representative sample of the German general population in terms of age and gender. Participants were randomly assigned to brief case vignettes addressing sexual or physical violence in childhood. Analyses base on a sample of n = 659 individuals (50.1% female). Stigma was assessed through examining respondents' readiness to address specific traumas in conversation and respondents' attitudes toward the individuals in the vignettes. Mann–Whitney U tests were applied to check for differences between female and male victims and survivors as well as female and male respondents. Results: Our results reveal that male victims and survivors face higher negative stereotypes (harm, unpredictability) and evoke communication barriers more often when compared to female victims and survivors, especially in male respondents. Sexual violence is associated with more distinct gender differences than physical violence. Conclusions: Findings reflect greater stigma toward male victims and survivors of sexual violence than female ones. Men had a greater tendency to stigmatize – especially toward their same-gender peers. Socially ingrained gender roles may act as a basis for different communication cultures and the notion of victim-perpetrator constellations in which males are not envisaged as victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED) have specific difficulties with indiscriminate sociability, yet little is known about their broader social competencies as DSED tends not to be identified within samples in the wider 'maltreatment literature.' Aim: To systematically review the literature to determine the social competencies of children with DSED. Methods: A comprehensive search following PRISMA guidelines was undertaken using PsycINFO, Medline, Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health. Results: From a total of 553 articles, 16 studies were selected and critically evaluated. Children with DSED were consistently reported to have poorer social competencies than non‐maltreated peers and environmental controls. Greater peer problems were consistently found, and they may present with poor self‐esteem/concept related to social acceptance. Findings regarding social interaction/communication skills were mixed. Limitations: 50% of studies were of moderate quality due to sampling and possible confounding variables. Conclusion: Children with DSED present with social relationship problems, beyond the core symptoms of the disorder, but the relative impact of co‐occurring neurodevelopmental conditions is not yet clear. In addition, pragmatic language and communication skills require further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the hierarchy of influences perspective as analytical lens, this article examines the macro-, meso- and micro-level dynamics that attend the B-Metro's mediation of child abuse in Zimbabwe. In-depth interviews with B-Metro staff revealed that journalists' identities, professional ideologies, political meddling, resourcing challenges and a gendered newsroom culture shape the news discourse. Additionally, strategic considerations about the credibility of the news report and the economics of news gathering have led to an overreliance on court sources. Consequently, the reportage is dominated by a legal narrative that eschews meaningful interrogation of the structural conditions that engender child abuse. Findings also reveal that journalists denounce patriarchal violence but espouse its normative ideologies. Ambivalence characterizes journalists' convictions and actions as they are torn between commercial and public interest imperatives, compassion fatigue and the ethic of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern among adolescents with major depressive disorders (MDD). Although previous research has linked child maltreatment (CM) to NSSI, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between CM, cognitive reappraisal (CR), negative coping styles (NC) and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, from the perspectives of both Latent Variable Theory and the Network Theory of Mental Disorder. Methods A sample of 651 adolescents with MDD was recruited from January to December 2023. Data on CM, CR, NC, and NSSI were collected through paper-based self-reported questionnaires. Data analysis primarily involved structural equation modeling and network analysis. Results The reporting rate of NSSI among adolescents with MDD was 48.2%. CM showed a significant positive correlation with NSSI. NSSI was affected by CM through three paths: the mediating role of CR, the mediating role of NC, and the chain mediating role of both CR and NC. Emotional abuse (EA) was the central node, while NSSI, EA, and “The urge to cry quietly when faced with troubles“(NC10) were the key bridge nodes. Conclusions This study is the first to use both structural equation modeling and network analysis to explore the explore the relationship between CM, CR, NC, and NSSI in adolescents with MDD, providing a theoretical basis for future early prevention and targeted interventions for adolescents with MDD.