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The COVID-19 crisis has led to widespread temporary school closures and a deep economic recession. School closures have threatened children's ability to learn and later return to school well prepared. The impact of the economic recession is going to be even more devastating: first for students, but also for the ability of some Catholic schools to maintain their enrollment and remain sustainable financially in countries where they do not benefit from government support. This paper, the first in a set of two, looks at some of the likely impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on Catholic Schools in developed countries with a particular focus on the United States, a country not only hard hit by the crisis but also where Catholic schools are especially vulnerable to downturns. While Catholic schools may be able to respond to the immediate challenge of school closures among others through distance learning options, their ability to maintain enrollment during the economic downturn is less clear. How schools will respond to the twin challenges of ensuring learning during school closures and beyond, and remaining affordable for families at a time of economic stress, may affect whether they are able to maintain their comparative advantage. A key aim of the paper is to make Catholic school teachers and leaders aware of some of the discussions on how to respond to the crisis, and provide links to online resources that may be useful. [For Part II of the series, see EJ1278501.]

Background: Children with intellectual disabilities are at risk of becoming victims of abuse. However, persons working with this population often lack knowledge on how to interpret signs of abuse. The purpose of this study was to identify and socially validate signs of abuse in children with disabilities. Method: The study employed a mixed-method sequential design. The first phase consisted of a rapid review of publications that described signs of abuse in children with disabilities (n = 23). The second phase included social validation using an online survey. The participants were professionals working with disability and/or child abuse (n = 39). Results: A significant difference between the 10 highest rated signs of abuse compared to the 10 lowest rated signs was found. Group comparisons between participants showed significant differences in the ratings of eight signs. Conclusions: The results from the study can provide guidance to the accuracy of signs of abuse in children with disabilities.

This article draws attention to international evidence that highlights the value and challenges of promoting youth participation among and for young people affected by, or at risk of, sexual violence. The article draws on evidence from two pan-European projects that took place between 2013 and 2017 and aimed to give young people a voice in order to prevent sexual violence. The central argument of the article is that young people, particularly those directly affected by sexual violence, including those affected by child sexual exploitation, have an important role to play in shaping practice and policy which addresses sexual violence. However, participation work is complex and requires training, resources and support to enable practitioners to undertake this work with the necessary confidence and skills to safely, ethically and meaningfully engage young people. Involving young people affected by sexual violence is significant and goes beyond generic discourse regarding participation as there are specific risk factors associated with working with "marginalised" or "hard to engage" young people . We suggest that this evidence can inform international policy and practice. Organisations, and in turn State parties, need to properly resource such work and meet their obligations, which are outlined in European conventions.

Problem: After the Soviet Union dissolved in 1989, it became apparent that there was little recognition of the problems of child abuse and neglect, professionally, legally, or societally. There were no effective systems or laws in place to deal with these problems. Method: Beginning in 1995 the Children's Mental Health Alliance, in conjunction with the Open Society Institute began conducting trainings in Eastern Europe [Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry 39 (2000) 660]. Originally 18 countries from the Baltics to the Balkans participated. A program was elaborated which would proceed in several stages: (1) training mental health professionals to deal with child abuse and neglect (CAN); (2) teaching multidisciplinary team work and fostering the development of multidisciplinary NGOs focused on CAN; (3) promoting the self-sufficiency of these NGO's which would then facilitate social and legal reform and increase public awareness of the problem. Specific methods included multi-national trainings, assignment of mentors to the developing teams who maintained weekly contact with the teams and made yearly site visits to their countries, and overseeing project grants from OSI. Results: NGO's had been established and registered in 11 countries, many establishing a network of programs within their countries. By 2000, over 3800 mental health professional had been trained, either directly by the program or by the trainees of the program. By the end of 2000, over 17,000 other professionals (lawyers, police, judges, educators, other physicians, etc.) had been trained by the network. Conclusion: While more work needs to be in this region, the teams in 11 countries have made solid starts.

At a time of increasing concern for poor children, the study of Austrian press records during the late imperial period shows the intensity of street children's presence in Austrian and other European cities as well as particularly harsh aspects of child exploitation at an international level. It reveals the multiple ways in which street children in urban Austria as well as in other European countries were perceived: as victims in need of rescue; as a nuisance in everyday city life; as a threat to social and moral order; and as a threat to "civilized" Austria and Europe in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Suicidal behaviour, defined as acting with the intention of killing oneself and thinking about doing so, is a serious public health problem. Being able to list the risk factors in the process from suicidal ideation to suicidal behaviour is important in preventing suicide. Objectives: The study was conducted to examine the psychological variables that discriminate between individuals who attempt suicide and those who only have suicidal ideation. Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 108 individuals who attempted suicide and 197 individuals with suicidal ideation, aged 18–25 years. Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Anger/Impulsivity (A/I) and Hopelessness/Loneliness (H/L) subscales of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS), Psychological Pain Scale (PPS), State and Trait Anxiety Scale (STAS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ), Acquired Suicide Efficacy/Death Fearlessness Scale (ASE/DFS) and General Attitudes and Beliefs Scale Short Form (GABS-SF). Results: Results showed that anger/impulsivity (Wald = 4.827; p < 0.05), perceived burden on others (Wald = 8.613; p < 0.05), acquired suicide efficacy/death fearlessness (Wald = 13.377; p < 0.001), being female (Wald = 3.925; p < 0.05), presence of diagnosed psychiatric illness in the family (Wald = 5.705; p < 0.05), and receiving psychological support (Wald = 4.381. p < 0.05) variables are significant predictors of the transition from suicidal ideation to suicidal action. Conclusions: The identification of psychological factors between suicide attempters and suicide ideation groups may guide clinicians in the follow-up and treatment of individuals at risk of attempting suicide. In addition, the results may contribute to the development of new intervention, education and treatment programmes for suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Seeking insights into how decision-makers uphold obligations to equal and individualized treatment in decisions about state intervention, this study examines justifications by decision-makers in care orders for newborn children. Eighty-five care order judgments from eight European countries concerning children of mothers who misuse substances are analyzed to determine how decision-makers justify removing a newborn child from their mother's care. I find that the results display similarities in what risk factors they find relevant to these cases, but it differs which are deemed decisive. Protective factors are rarely important. Implications for the US context are commented on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the co-occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) against mothers and their risk of perpetrating child maltreatment (CM) in North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, and Romania. Risk factors for IPV, CM, and their co-occurrence were identified. Two samples (N 1= 112, N 2 = 701) of mothers with children with behavioral problems were assessed. IPV was reported by 64% of mothers, CM by 96%, and their co-occurrence by 63%. Mothers exposed to emotional IPV reported more physical and emotional CM. Mothers exposed to physical IPV reported more physical CM. Motheŕs own history of CM and offspring's behavior problems were associated with IPV and CM co-occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment is considered a pressing social question, compromising the present and future mental and physical health of one in four children in Europe. While children younger than three years of age are especially vulnerable, few screening instruments are available for the detection of risk in this age group. The purpose of this research was to develop a screening tool for childcare professionals working in public and private daycare settings to support them in the early identification and referral of infants and toddlers exposed to emotional and physical abuse and neglect by primary caregivers, to be used in different settings across four European countries: Belgium, Italy, Latvia, and Hungary. Method: A stratified process was used to create the screening tool: We started by using Living lab methodology to co-create the screening tool with its final users, which was followed by testing the tool with a total of 120 childcare professionals from the four participating countries. Results: During the Living Lab phase, a screening tool with three layers was developed. The initial layer includes five "red flags" that signal particular concern and require immediate action. The second layer is a quick screener with twelve items focused on four areas: neglect of basic needs, delays in development, unusual behaviors, and interaction with caregivers. The third layer is an in-depth questionnaire that aids in formalizing a thorough observation of twenty-five items within the same four areas as the quick screener. After a one-day training session, 120 childcare professionals caring for children aged 0–3 from four countries assessed the screening tool and their overall training experience. Childcare professionals reported great satisfaction with the three-layered structure, which made the tool versatile, and agreed on its content, which was considered helpful in the daycare setting for the regular evaluation of the behavior of children and their primary caregivers, thus improving the early observation of change from the normal behavior of the infant or toddler. Conclusion: The three-layered screening tool was reported as feasible, practical, and with great content validity by childcare professionals working in four European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Stichproben (19928610) is the property of Stichproben. Verein fur Forderung und Publikation wiss. Arbeiten aus den Afrikawissenschaften and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The interventions used to prevent or treat violence against children, particularly sexual abuse, tend to only consider the target audience as their main source of data. We tested the effect of an online training for school staff members in Europe through three studies. In Study I, we interviewed 5 adult women (Mage = 49.2, SD = 5.81) who were victims of sexual abuse during childhood to assess what school could have done during that time to protect them. Through Study II, we collected data on 66 school staff members to assess feasibility (based on quantitative indicators) and to explore the changes they would make to their everyday practice due to the training course (using qualitative analysis). In Study III, we used network analysis to assess to what extent the actions described by school staff in Study II met the needs expressed by the victims in Study I. Findings of Study I revealed new proposals from the victims' perspective, such as working with the perpetrators. Study II showed the feasibility of training and identified five types of action that school staff members will include in their everyday working dynamics due to the training: detection (e.g., Greater attention to relationships with peers), reporting (e.g., Now I know that suspecting a case of child abuse is enough to report), everyday practices (e.g., Introducing a calming space), changes at school level (e.g., Propose the training course to the school management team) or practices that could belong to more than one category (e.g., Greater awareness of the activities undertaken by the school). Study III provided evidence that some of these changes (e.g., reporting without looking for proof) were in line with some of the victims' expectations (e.g., listen to the children). We also identified gaps that need to be further developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the different policies to recognize child maltreatment in emergency departments (EDs) in Europe in order to define areas of improvement. Methods: A survey was conducted on the recognition of child maltreatment in EDs in European countries with a focus on screening methods, parental risk factors, training and hospital policies. The survey was distributed through different key members from the EUSEM, REPEM and the EuSEN. A summary score based on the NICE guideline (4 questions on child characteristics, 4 questions on parental characteristics and 5 questions on hospital policy) was calculated. Results: We analysed 185 completed surveys, representing 148 hospitals from 29 European countries. Of the respondents, 28.6% used a screening tool, and 31.8% had guidelines on parental risk factors. A total of 42.2% did not follow training based on child characteristics, and 57.6% did not follow training on parental characteristics. A total of 71.9% indicated that there was a need for training. 50.8% of the respondents reported a standardized policy for the detection of child maltreatment. Translating the survey results to NICE summary scores of the EDs in Europe, we found that 25.6% (34/133) met most, 22.6% (30/133) met some and 51.9% (69/133) met few of the NICE guideline recommendations. More specifically, with respect to hospital policies, 33.8% (45/133) met most, 15.0% (20/133) met some and 51.1% (68/133) met few of the NICE guideline recommendations. Conclusion: There is high variability regarding policies for child maltreatment detection and only a quarter of the EDs met most of the NICE guideline recommendations for child maltreatment. There is a need for the use of screening tools, training of ED staff and implementation of local hospital policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: While the factors commonly associated with an increased risk of child maltreatment (CM) were found to be increased during COVID-19, reports of actual maltreatment showed varying trends. Similarly, evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 on CM within the European Cooperation on Science and Technology and Network Collaborative (COST) Action countries remains inconsistent. This scoping review aims to explore the extent and nature of evidence pertaining to CM within the countries affiliated with the Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe Action Network (Euro-CAN), funded by the COST., Methods and Analysis: Key electronic databases were searched to identify eligible papers, reports and other material published between January 2020 and April 2023: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, Scopus and Web of Science. To cover the breadth of evidence, a systematic and broad search strategy was applied using a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary for four concepts: children, maltreatment, COVID-19 and Euro-CAN countries, without restrictions on study design or language. Grey literature was searched in OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Two reviewers will independently screen full-text publications for eligibility and undertake data extraction, using a customised grid. The screening criteria and data charting will be piloted by the research team.The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews will be followed to present the results. Results will be summarised in a tabular form and narratively., Ethics and Dissemination: This review will identify and summarise publicly available data, without requiring ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated to the Euro-CAN Network and reported to the COST Association. They will also be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This protocol is registered on Open Science Framework., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with long-lasting poor health outcomes, as well as increased levels of disability and health-services consumption across the life-span. However, less is known about how CM consequences can be reduced during adulthood. We investigated professional opinions on how to mitigate long-term consequences of CM in a public health (PH) perspective. Methods Using the Delphi method in three rounds, we inquired 91 professionals, mostly European researchers and clinicians about potential PH actions to mitigate CM consequences during adulthood. Results Most experts agreed that PH actions are needed. Increasing community awareness and training emotional regulation in affected adults were prioritized strategies. Enlarging curricular knowledge about CM for professionals and developing evidence-based interventions were considered preferred methods. Reducing the barriers for access to interventions for adults, such as those provided by trauma-informed services were also suggested. Participants highlighted the possibility to reduce CM consequences across generations as a significant benefit. Conclusions PH programmes to reduce the burden of CM can be enhanced by specific actions to facilitate the recognition of difficulties in affected adults and to expand the availability of helpful resources. The application of these programmes could be assisted by the use of modern information-technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the European context the awareness of societal responsibility for children's health has increased with greater attention to children's rights and child empowerment processes. Child health issues are considered particularly sensitive; thus, they often provoke strong societal reactions, which, as a consequence, influence national health policies across Europe. Effectiveness of societal influences increases with the involvement of various actors in the context. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to identify the level of societal involvement in health decision‐making. A questionnaire was sent to the Country Agents (CAs) of the Models of Child Health Appraised (MOCHA) project. CAs are contact points in each of the 30 participating in the project countries and were asked to identify strong public and professional discussions related to child health services in their countries. Data collection was undertaken between July and December 2016. Results: Based on 71 case studies, we identified eight thematic patterns, which characterize societal reactions to the currently worrisome child health issues across Europe. We devoted our attention to the three most controversial: child vaccination, child poverty and child abuse. The cases described by the CAs show the broad perspective in the perception of child health problems. Child health issues involve the public and raise nationwide debates. Public concerns were directly or indirectly related to child health and depicted the national overtone. Conclusions: Concerns in Europe about child health care are twofold: they are devoted to systemic issues (indirect patient orientation) and to child health and well‐being (direct patient orientation). The phenomenon of societal responsibility for children's health is important for the support of public acceptance of child health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is overwhelming consensus among policy makers, academics, and professionals about the need to support families in their childrearing tasks. Consequently, European countries have been encouraged to develop family support interventions aimed at guaranteeing children's rights, targeting particularly those children in situations of psychosocial risk. While a certain amount of evidence exists regarding how family support is generally delivered in certain European countries, with a particular focus on parenting initiatives, this paper aims to take existing evidence one step further by providing an updated review focusing on two core components of the Council of Europe's Recommendation on Positive Parenting: families at psychosocial risk as the target population, and family education and support initiatives as the delivery format. The scope of the study was therefore broad, in both geographical and conceptual terms. An online survey was conducted with experts from 19 European countries to gather information regarding how they perceive family education and support initiatives for families at psychosocial risk. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analysed by computing frequencies/percentages and by following a thematic synthesis method, respectively. The results revealed both similarities and disparities as regards provider profiles, intervention characteristics, and quality standards. Practical implications are discussed, such as the need to diversify initiatives for at‐risk families in accordance with the tenets of progressive universalism, the ongoing need for an evidence‐based, pluralistic approach to programmes, and the skills and qualifications required in the family support workforce. This study constitutes a first step towards building a common family support framework at a European level, which would encompass family support and parenting policies aimed at families at psychosocial risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The concept of educational space can explain educational derailments and challenges across time. • The historical method of analyzing observations of contemporary people packed in sources – texts and images - brings us nearer to children and their perspectives in the past. • The expanded educational space in the nineteenth century stimulated a two-side educational mindset of more educational discipline and more attention for the child's perspective. • Neglect, maltreatment, and an emotionless educational approach probably occurred more frequently in the past than today. This, however, was not because of a basically different educational mindset, but because of more and stronger limits and less favorable conditions for the educational space. In this article first the perspectives of children in early modern Europe's educational space will be explored by looking to children through the eyes of artists and by reading the warning against child maltreatment in an influential educational tractate, written by the famous humanist Erasmus. Then we will turn to the nineteenth century paradox: on the one hand a longing after more educational discipline in the school and in residential institutions, and on the other hand more attention for the child's perspective by pedagogues such as Friedrich Fröbel and Ellen Key. Finally it will be asked to which extent warnings by Erasmus and other humanists were taken seriously five hundred years later by looking at recent research on post Second World War child maltreatment and abuse in out-of-home child care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Violence against children (VAC) is a global public health issue. In the context of limited resources, the United Nations Development Programme has coined the concept of a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) accelerator for preventing and responding to VAC. An 'accelerator' is a provision that simultaneously leads to progress across multiple SDGs targets and goals., Objectives: This systematic review synthesizes the literature on violence prevention evaluation studies using robust methods according to the SDG accelerator framework for children aged 0-18 in Western Europe and Central and West Africa. It also provides a lens for analyzing research inequities between the global North and South, examining the challenges and differences undermining knowledge production across regions, particularly in research output., Method: We systematically searched 30 electronic databases and grey literature in English and French. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool., Results: Nine evaluation studies related to four SDG goals and ten targets were included in the analysis. As a result, no intervention was identified as an accelerator for children in West and Central Africa. In contrast, three promising interventions were identified as accelerators in Western Europe. Two school-based interventions reduce bullying, depression, and substance abuse and improve psychological well-being; and one home-based intervention reduces child abuse, the severity of neglect, and mental health problems and improves school attendance. Moreover, this review also uncovered a lack of research from the Global South that points to serious disadvantages for authors and institutions and global violence prevention efforts, as it hinders the flow of knowledge and innovative practices., Conclusions: The results highlight the need for future VAC prevention trials to integrate the SDG accelerators concept further. Additionally, more effort should be made to support scholars in the global South to address knowledge inequities and to enhance understanding of how accelerators work in different field settings and conditions. This effort will ensure that interventions accelerate SDG goals and impact the world's most vulnerable children., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

European governments encourage their citizens to report signals of child sexual exploitation while traveling abroad. To better understand what inhibits their reporting behavior, this study examines travelers' intent to report signals of sexual exploitation of children in the context of travel and tourism (SECTT). Building on scholarship on crime reporting behavior and (indirect) bystander intervention, travelers from five European countries were surveyed about barriers influencing their reporting decision. Results indicate that barriers related to the interpretation of the situation and cost-benefit reasoning inhibit intent to report. Awareness of the phenomenon and intervention decreases the perceived barriers and positively impact the intents to report. Previous experience with observing signals of SECTT is associated with a lower intent to report. Explanations for this unexpected finding and recommendations for practitioners are explored., (© Copyright 2023 Springer Publishing Company, LLC.)

An introduction to the journal is presented that focuses on issues related to child maltreatment around the world, including the association of exposure to different types of child maltreatment and the development of substance use disorders later in life, association between child maltreatment and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and media coverage of child abuse cases in China.

When suspicions of physical abuse arise, children are referred for a child protection medical evaluation, which occurs in a variety of health settings by a variety of clinicians. This comparative vignette survey was performed among a cross‐section of medical professionals engaged in child protection in Sweden, Ireland, the UK and the Netherlands between April and July 2016. Three vignettes describing different probabilities of physical abuse were included. Components of child protection medical evaluations across the four countries were analysed. A total of 236 physicians responded (113 UK, 49 the Netherlands, 39 Sweden, 35 Ireland). Of these, 62 per cent were female (there were more females in the UK, Sweden and the Netherlands). More variation in practice than similarities was found. Similarities: experience level, confidence level and management approach (vignettes 1 and 3). Cross‐country differences: decision to investigate, adherence to national guidelines, experience versus specialism and subsequent management post‐assessment. These findings suggest the need for further exploration of practice between countries including specific and regular training, availability of support for non‐specialists and use of national and international clinical guidelines to promote best practice and reduce variation. More consideration of the human and financial cost to the healthcare system of unnecessary investigations and the length of hospital admission may be warranted. Key Practitioner Messages: There is a lack of uniformity in the clinical management of physical abuse between these four European countries.Specific and regular training included in professional development plans and discussed at appraisal will promote clinician confidence in assessments.Expert support should be easily available to non‐specialists undertaking these assessments.National and local clinical guidelines are important tools in promoting best practice and reducing variation across and within countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children’s experiences and voices are underrepresented in academic literature and professional practice around domestic violence and abuse. The project “Understanding Agency and Resistance Strategies” (UNARS) addresses this absence, through direct engagement with children. We present an analysis from interviews with 21 children in the United Kingdom (12 girls and 9 boys, aged 8-18 years), about their experiences of domestic violence and abuse, and their responses to this violence. These interviews were analyzed using interpretive interactionism. Three themes from this analysis are presented: (a) “Children’s experiences of abusive control,” which explores children’s awareness of controlling behavior by the adult perpetrator, their experience of that control, and its impact on them; (b) “Constraint,” which explores how children experience the constraint associated with coercive control in situations of domestic violence; and (c) “Children as agents,” which explores children’s strategies for managing controlling behavior in their home and in family relationships. The article argues that, in situations where violence and abuse occur between adult intimate partners, children are significantly affected, and can be reasonably described as victims of abusive control. Recognizing children as direct victims of domestic violence and abuse would produce significant changes in the way professionals respond to them, by (a) recognizing children’s experience of the impact of domestic violence and abuse; (b) recognizing children’s agency, undermining the perception of them as passive “witnesses” or “collateral damage” in adult abusive encounters; and (c) strengthening professional responses to them as direct victims, not as passive witnesses to violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the main sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues for separated young migrants. Study design We conducted a rapid review. Methods The search for articles published between 2000 and June 2017 including peer-reviewed and 'grey' published literature from a range of databases including MEDLINE, AMED, Embase, ASSIA, Scopus, Web of Science and websites of international organisations (Missing Children Alliance, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Human Rights Watch, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and FBX Centre for Health and Human Rights) took place over 4 months. Themes emerging from the included studies and articles were synthesised. Results We found 44 articles from a range of countries of which 64% were peer-reviewed and 36% were from 'grey' literature. Structural violence and marginalisation were the key analytical themes that emerged and included young people's vulnerability to violence, unmet knowledge and service needs, barriers and stigma and poor SRH outcomes. Conclusions This is the first known review to summarise the key SRH issues for separated young migrants. As Europe hosts the greatest number of separated young people in recent history, their unique SRH concerns risk being overlooked. Public health practitioners and policy makers are encouraged to challenge the gaps that exist in their services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the challenges of professionals in addressing child adversity is key to improving the detection, protection, and care of exposed children. We aimed to synthesize findings from qualitative studies of professionals’ lived experience of addressing child adversity. Through a systematic search, we identified eight qualitative studies and synthesized them using metaethnography. We generated three themes, “feeling inadequate,” “fear of making it worse,” and “facing evil,” and one overarching metaphor, “walking children through a minefield.” The professionals felt that they lacked the means necessary to explore child adversity, that they were apprehensive of worsening the child’s situation, and that their work with child adversity induced emotional discomfort. This metasynthesis indicated that the professionals’ efficiency in exploring abuse relied upon their ability to manage emotional and moral distress and complexity. To support children at risk, we propose developing professionals’ ability to build relationships, skills in emotion regulation, and proficiency in reflective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Little is known about the organisation of child maltreatment practice in Europe. We therefore explored medical child protection systems and training across Europe.Methods: An online survey was completed by physicians working in child maltreatment, identified through professional organisations in 28 member countries of the European Union, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland in 2012-2013. Respondents were questioned regarding management of suspected child maltreatment, mandatory reporting, professional training, patient referral and physician roles in multidisciplinary investigations. Responses underwent a narrative synthesis and descriptive enumerations.Results: The survey was completed by 88 individuals, unevenly distributed in 22 of 31 countries. Physicians were mandated to report child maltreatment in 16 of 22 countries. All of 88 responding physicians described multidisciplinary involvement in the clinical and forensic management of suspected child maltreatment. Practitioners involved in physical examinations included general physicians, paediatricians, forensic medical examiners, gynaecologists and paediatric surgeons. Paediatricians were required to undergo child protection training according to 30 of 86 respondents in 14 of 22 countries.Conclusion: This survey demonstrates that there were wide variations in the organisation of child maltreatment paediatrics in Europe. The differing legislative frameworks and models of care are pertinent to consider when comparing epidemiology of maltreatment reported from across European countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network ( PECARN) head trauma prediction rules are used to assist computed tomography ( CT) decision-making for children with minor head trauma. Although the PECARN rules have been validated in North America and Europe, they have not yet been validated in Asia. In Japan, there are no clinical decision rules for children with minor head trauma. The rate of head CT for children with minor head trauma in Japan is high since CT is widely accessible across the country. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the PECARN rules for identifying clinically important traumatic brain injuries (ci TBI) in children with minor head trauma in Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care pediatric hospital in Japan (30,000 patients/year). We enrolled all children younger than 18 years with minor head trauma (Glasgow Coma Scale ≥ 14) who presented to the emergency department within 24 hours of their injury between January and December 2013. We retrospectively classified the children into three risk categories according to the PECARN rules. The PECARN rules were considered negative when children were classified into the very-low-risk category. The primary outcome was considered positive when a child had ci TBI defined as head injury resulting in death, neurosurgery, intubation for > 24 hours, or hospital admission ≥ 2 nights with evidence of TBI on CT. Results Among 2,208 children included in the study, 24 (1.1%) had ci TBI. Sensitivities and specificities of the PECARN rules to predict ci TBI were 85.7% (12/14; 95% confidence interval [ CI] = 57.2 to 98.2) and 73.5% (572/778; 95% CI = 70.3 to 76.6), respectively, for children < 2 years old, and 100% (10/10; 95% CI = 58.7 to 100) and 73.5% (1033/1406; 95% CI = 71.0 to 75.7) for children ≥ 2 years old, respectively. There were 10 cases of physically abused children < 2 years old, and six (60%) of them had ci TBI. Also, two cases of physically abused children with ci TBI were classified as very low risk. If we did not include physically abused children, the sensitivity of the PECARN rule for children < 2 years old improved from 85.7% to 100% (8/8). Conclusions The PECARN rules were less sensitive for physically abused children, although the rules showed excellent applicability for the cohort without physical abuse. Thoughtful consideration may be needed for cases of nonaccidental trauma. Further prospective studies are required to verify the applicability of the PECARN rules for children with minor head trauma in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To document ethnic disparities in childhood abuse and neglect among New Zealand children. Methods. We followed the 1998 New Zealand birth cohort of 56 904 children through 2016. We determined the cumulative childhood prevalence of reports to child protective services (CPS), substantiated maltreatment (by subtype), and out-of-home placements, from birth to age 18 years, by ethnic group. We also developed estimates stratified by maternal age and community deprivation levels. Results. We identified substantial ethnic differences in child maltreatment and child protection involvement. Both Māori and Pacific Islander children had a far greater likelihood of being reported to CPS, being substantiated as victims, and experiencing an out-of-home placement than other children. Across all levels of CPS interactions, rates of Māori involvement were more than twice those of Pacific Islander children and more than 3 times those of European children. Conclusions. Despite long-standing child support policies and reparation for breaches of Indigenous people's rights, significant child maltreatment disparities persist. More work is needed to understand how New Zealand's public benefit services can be more responsive to the needs of Indigenous families and their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child helplines around the world are an important mental health resource for many children. In this study, an international database was analysed with a total of 25 million registered calls at a total of 111 helplines affiliated with Child Helpline International. The research was aimed at discovering if there are differences between the reasons for calling of children from different parts of the world, and if shifts in the studied 10‐year period can be observed. The data show that all child helplines are contacted by young people seek support with questions concerning abuse, sexual matters and school issues. The results from a mixed model also show significant differences in the reasons for calling between Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, the Pacific region and the region Middle East and North Africa. Child helplines in Africa and other developing parts of the world received many calls related to safety and health (e.g. HIV/AIDS, commercial exploitation), whereas children and young people from Europe, North America and the Pacific more often discussed social and psychosocial issues with the helpline (e.g. mental health, peer and family relations). The reasons for calling were relatively stable for the studied period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aimed to analyze lifetime and past-year victimization and polyvictimization experiences in adolescent outpatients from a southern European country. The sample included 149 adolescents (35.6% boys, 64.4% girls), aged 12 to 17 (M = 14.28, SD = 1.45). Experiences of victimization were assessed using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ; Finkelhor, Hamby, Ormrod, & Turner, 2005). Results showed that 99.3% of those interviewed had experienced at least one type of victimization during their lifetime, and 84.6% reported past-year victimization. Gender and age differences were found. Based on community criteria, the proportion of polyvictims in the sample was 32.2% for lifetime victimization and 20.1% for past-year victimization. When assessing children in the context of outpatient mental health services, it is essential that clinicians explore any history of exposure to violence, as this information is crucial in determining the young person’s therapeutic needs. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this paper is to provide a content analysis of national policies to address violence and injury prevention in the World Health Organization (WHO) European Region so as to inform where future improvements can be made. Multiple search methods were used to identify national policies for violence and injury prevention. Application of a framework based on a WHO guide was used for policy analysis. A multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was additionally conducted. One hundred and twenty-three national policies were identified; of these, 80 were available in English language and analysed further. Most national policies had been developed after 2003. The majority of policies fulfilled most of the WHO criteria for effective policy-making. Policy areas requiring improvement include quantifying objectives, targeting the socio-economic gap in injury burden and increased focus on primary prevention. Results from the MCA confirmed the ones obtained with the descriptive statistics. Encouraging progress is being made in formulating national policy for violence and injury prevention within the WHO European Region. There are specific areas that warrant increasing attention in future policy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment (CM) is associated with poor long-term health outcomes. However, knowledge about CM prevalence and related consequences is scarce among adults in South European countries. We examined the self-reported prevalence of five different forms of CM in a community sample of 1,200 Portuguese adults; we compared the results with similar samples from three other countries, using the same instrument. We also explored the relationship between CM and psychological symptoms. Cross-sectional data using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the Brief Symptom Inventory were analyzed. Moderate or severe CM exposure was self-reported by 14.7 % of the sample, and 67 % was exposed to more than one form of CM. Emotional neglect was the most endorsed experience, with women reporting greater emotional abuse and men reporting larger physical abuse. Physical and sexual abuse was less self-reported by Portuguese than by American or German subjects. CM exposure predicted 12.8 % of the psychological distress. Emotional abuse was the strongest predictor for psychological symptoms, namely for paranoid ideation, depression, and interpersonal sensitivity. Emotional abuse overlapped with the exposure to all other CM forms, and interacted with physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect to predict psychological distress. Low exposure to emotional abuse was directly associated with the effects of physical abuse, physical neglect, and emotional neglect to predict adult psychological distress. Verbal abuse experiences were frequently reported and had the highest correlations with adult psychological distress. Our results underline the potential hurtful effects of child emotional abuse among Portuguese adults in the community. They also highlight the need to improve prevention and intervention actions to reduce exposure and consequences of CM, particularly emotional abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a five-nations project in comparative child protection to provide recommendations on policy and practice to inform the redevelopment of the Swiss child protection system. The Swiss Federal Government and the Optimus and Oak Foundations commissioned the project--collective title: Association Programme National pour la Protection de l'Enfant. We identify the historical developmental trajectories of child protection systems together with common drivers: the evidential basis for the prevalence and effects of child abuse, the co-joining of social and economic policies and practices to promote early investment in children, the influence of children's rights and comparative international league tables on child well-being. We describe the cross-national project methodology and analysis of results. Three key indicators for the performance of national child protection systems are indicated: creating a culturally sensitive child protection governance framework, building a relational heart and using evidence to inform policy and practice. These encapsulate the recommendations made with respect to the Swiss child protection system. The results provide a prototype model with potential utility in similar cross-national studies, and add weight to the argument that cross-cultural learning in the context of a globalised society is not only possible, but desirable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The ADH1B gene has consistently been implicated in problem drinking, but rarely incorporated into gene by environment investigations of alcohol phenotypes. This study examined the joint effects of variation in ADH1B and childhood adversity-a well-documented risk factor for alcohol problems and moderator of genetic liability to psychiatric outcomes-on maximum drinks consumed in a 24-hour period (maxdrinks) and alcohol use disorder ( AUD) symptoms. Methods Data were drawn from 2,617 African-American ( AA) and 1,436 European-American ( EA) participants (42% female) in a multisite genetic study of substance dependence. We tested the most significant ADH1B single nucleotide polymorphisms for alcohol dependence from a genomewide association study with this sample, ADH1B-rs1229984 (Arg48His) and ADH1B-rs2066702 (Arg370Cys), in EA and AA subsamples, respectively. Results Ordinal regression analyses conducted separately by sex and population revealed significant main effects for childhood adversity for both alcohol phenotypes in AA women and men and for maxdrinks in EA women. A significant rs1229984 by childhood adversity interaction was observed for AUD symptoms in EA men. Unexposed His-allele carriers reported a mean of 3.6 AUD criteria, but adversity-exposed His-allele carriers endorsed approximately the same number (6.3) as those without the protective allele (6.3 and 7.0 for adversity-exposed and -unexposed groups, respectively). Conclusions Results suggest that under conditions of childhood adversity, the His allele does not exert its protective effects in EA men ( OR = 0.57, CI: 0.32 to 1.01; p = 0.056). Findings highlight the robust risk effect conferred by childhood adversity and the importance of considering population and sex in genetically informative investigations of its association with alcohol outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the association between adverse childhood experiences--e.g. abuse, neglect, domestic violence and parental separation, substance use, mental illness or incarceration--and the health of young adults in eight eastern European countries. Methods Between 2010 and 2013, adverse childhood experience surveys were undertaken in Albania, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Romania, the Russian Federation, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey. There were 10 696 respondents--59.7% female--aged 18-25 years. Multivariate modelling was used to investigate the relationships between adverse childhood experiences and health-harming behaviours in early adulthood including substance use, physical inactivity and attempted suicide. Findings Over half of the respondents reported at least one adverse childhood experience. Having one adverse childhood experience increased the probability of having other adverse childhood experiences. The number of adverse childhood experiences was positively correlated with subsequent reports of health-harming behaviours. Compared with those who reported no adverse experiences, respondents who reported at least four adverse childhood experiences were at significantly increased risk of many health-harming behaviours, with odds ratios varying from 1.68 (95% confidence interval, CI: 1.32-2.15)--for physical inactivity--to 48.53 (95% CI: 31.98-76.65)--for attempted suicide. Modelling indicated that prevention of adverse childhood experiences would substantially reduce the occurrence of many health-harming behaviours within the study population. Conclusion Our results indicate that individuals who do not develop health-harming behaviours are more likely to have experienced safe, nurturing childhoods. Evidence-based programmes to improve parenting and support child development need large-scale deployment in eastern European. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several research questions raises when physicians are confronted with a possible case of child abuse. First, there is a problem of professional secrecy. In most European countries, physicians have the right to speak when confronted with a state of emergency. In other countries, physicians have a duty to speak and alert the police when the life or physical integrity of a person is at stake. A second topic to be discussed involves the possible liability of physicians who do not report child abuse. By not reporting a case of possible child abuse, the physician is respecting the family life of the parents, even though the child might continue to suffer damages. Third and essentially, I analyse the possible liability of physicians who do inform the prosecutor of a suspected child abuse. Specific criteria are elaborated to establish negligence when physicians report child abuse to the prosecutor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article discusses the history of atrocities against Jews in Europe. Particular focus is given to crimes against Jews in Germany. The author draws parallels between the cruel treatment of children and Jews in medieval Germany. It is suggested that wars and atrocities are caused by one group re-experiencing childhood traumas and violently projecting them onto another group. Details related to various historians' explanations for the Jewish Holocaust of 1939-1945 are presented, with an emphasis on the psychology of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

This paper presents findings from the European Union (EU) DAPHNE project ALC-VIOL (2005–07). The project involved ten EU states (Germany, Austria, England, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Malta, Netherlands, Poland and Spain). The research involved interviews with young people aged 12–18 from Germany, Poland, Spain, England and Malta on their experiences of living with parental alcohol misuse and parental violence. The children all had parents involved in treatment for alcohol problems. The study highlights the stressful experiences these children underwent, the effects on them, their coping strategies, and the support that they received and/or wished for, and underlines the need for a more coherent approach to help these children. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background There is a considerable amount of interest in resilience as a concept for child care and protection practice. This paper describes an exploratory project that drew on a set of case studies to explore the extent to which the concept of resilience can be operationalized for use with neglected children in the context of statutory social work. Method The study was carried out within a local authority in Scotland and focused on the value of the concept as an aid to assessment and planning. The study built on a published workbook that provides a structure for the assessment of potential areas of resilience and gives detailed suggestions for intervention in six domains of a child's life. Eight neglected children aged between five and 11 were recruited. Six training days on the concept were held. Questionnaires were used to gather information about the theoretical frameworks already being used. At the end of the study, semi-structured interviews were carried out with the social workers about the value of the concept. Assessment reports completed before and after the training were analysed. Results Findings indicated that participants were familiar with the concept of resilience and that the training helped enhance their understanding of the concept. Training assisted with the provision of a more structured approach to assessment and planning. Respondents reported that the approach enhanced their knowledge of the child and they were able to identify areas for development in the six domains. Conclusion The study indicated that the concept of resilience can be operationalized for use with neglected children. Further, the case studies raised the issue of the extent to which the need for a secure base underpins other domains. The domain of positive values was also highlighted as an important area for further exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child maltreatment is generally referred to under the global categories of physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse and neglect. The Concerted Action on the Prevention of Child Abuse in Europe (CAPCAE) reports on the specific forms of harm and injury, actions and persons believed responsible in eight European countries. The most common actions across all participating countries responsible for harm were those of violent parenting or absent parenting. A review of prevention strategies found that few programmes focused on specific behaviours or included measures to indicate whether their actions were successful in preventing further harm to children. It is recommended that fathers need to be targeted in prevention as well as mothers and that specific data collection of actual harms, actions, persons responsible and outcomes needs to be implemented as a priority in all European countries. Such specificity avoids a focus on risk which is unacceptable in some countries, over inclusive of parents and resource intensive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Court of Human Rights—obligations of member states—positive versus negative obligations—child abuse—prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment in article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

What role can the criminal law play in the battle against child sexual abuse? Should sexual relations of, and with, persons under a certain age be criminalized regardless of the circumstances, even if they are consensual ("age of consent", "minimum age")'? Where should such a minimum age-limit be fixed? Should there be a special, higher age-limit for particular conditions (e.g., "seduction", "corruption")? Should sexual contacts with minors within a relationship of authority be criminalized generally or just if authority is abused? Should criminal proceedings be instituted ex officio or upon complaint only? Should authorities be provided with a power of discretion or should they be obliged to prosecute and sentence in each case? In answering these important questions, it is highly beneficial to have a look across the borders to the solutions other countries have reached in this area. This analysis will provide an overview on the criminal law governing the sexual behavior of, and with, children and adolescents in all European jurisdictions and in selected jurisdictions outside of Europe. It will show which categories of offenses exist and from which age onward young people can effectively consent to various kinds of sexual behavior and relations in the different countries. It turns out that all states in Europe and all of the studied jurisdictions overseas do have minimum age limits for sexual relations, do punish sexual relations with persons under a certain age. Nowhere is this age set lower than 12 years. In Europe in one-half of the jurisdictions, consensual "sexual relations with 14-year-old adolescents are legal; in two-thirds with 15-year-olds; in a majority, this is also the case when the older partner has started the initiative (and also when the initiative contains an offer of remuneration). In nearly all jurisdictions, such relations are legal from the age of 16 onwards. Nearly all European jurisdictions set the same age limit in the criminal law for... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: Infants with an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) should not be treated nor monitored without a detailed medical evaluation, as different medical causes may be responsible for the initial clinical presentation. Standard and specific evaluation procedures are listed to help identify a cause for the ALTE. The most frequent problems associated with an ALTE are digestive (about 50%), neurological (30%), respiratory (20%), cardiovascular (5%), metabolic and endocrine (under 5%), or diverse other problems, including child abuse. Up to 50% of ALTEs remain unexplained. The finding of medical or surgical anomalies leads to specific treatments. Surveillance programmes with the use of home monitoring devices may be undertaken, preferably with cardiorespiratory monitors, and when possible, with event monitors, although no currently available home monitoring device is free of false alarms or offers complete protection. Long-term follow-up programmes of infants with an apparent life-threatening event contribute to adapt medical attitudes to the child's needs and to confirm the medical diagnosis.Conclusion: a systematic diagnostic evaluation, together with a comprehensive treatment programme, increases survival and quality of life for most affected infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents letters to the editor on topics in medicine. Thoughts on humanitarian aid and relief operations in Iraq; Implications of increasing European legislation aimed at protecting patients' rights on the instigation of therapeutic clinical trials after brain trauma; Topic of primary care research; Preparedness of London hospitals for a chemical weapons attack; Topic of child neglect; Potential for bias in the Hip Trial in Great Britain; Report of the World Health Organization Commission on Macroeconomics and Health; P2X7 polymorphism and chronic lymphocytic leukemia; Extracampine hallucinations; Laboratory preimplantation genetic diagnosis; Intact fetal cells in maternal plasma; Question of how Vasco de Gama sailed for 16 weeks without developing scurvy.

The article presents information about various articles published in the May 2001 issue of the "Journal of Community Psychology." Papers in this special issue represent psychological research that has taken place on four continents: North America, South America, Europe, and the Middle East, across inner city, urban, rural, and refugee camp populations, and within stable, less stable, and newly forming nations. In all cases, however, investigators have focused on effects of violence on children. These papers range in focus from abuse and conflict within the home and family, to neighborhood and community levels of violence, and national levels of upheaval and conflict in Chile and the Palestinian territories. In addition, the commentary by author James Garbarino also provides a national and international perspective.

Deals with the development of the Eastern European Child Abuse and Child Mental Health Project. Guiding principles; Major activities; Phases of the project; Reason for the creation of the project.