Cumulative Risk and Harm: The Condition of Accumulation in Child Maltreatment.

Children may often be able to overcome and grow from single episodes of maltreatment, however as these risk factors accumulate, a child's capacity to endure diminishes (Newman & Blackburn, 2002). This paper highlights the prevalence of chronicity and multiplicity in maltreatment experiences and the ways in which these experiences may manifest, as multi type maltreatment, poly-victimisation and re-victimisation across the life course. The article discusses the reciprocal relationship between risk and harm; and examines the literature on cumulative risk and cumulative harm and the theoretical frameworks that underpin the notion of accumulation. The paper argues that cumulative risk and harm need to be embedded in practice and prioritised in research, across all aspects of the helping professions, in order to turn the tide in our battle to protect our most vulnerable children and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]