Is the term child protection applicable to emotional abuse?

Abstract

Emotional abuse refers to a relationship rather than to a series of events. Based on a recent study of children registered under the category of emotional abuse, it has been possible to identify three tiers of concern, namely, parental attributes, categories of ill-treatment and impairments of the child's development. Registration came late in professional recognition of concerns about the children and their families. A majority of the children had moved away from home following registration. The paper discusses the carer–abuser relationship in emotional abuse and suggests that a strict application of the term ‘child protection’ is not appropriate in emotional abuse. While advocating an early response to concerns suggesting emotional abuse, the paper raises questions about the appropriateness of immediate use of formal child protection procedures in the investigation and assessment of suspected emotional abuse. Alternative approaches are suggested which may not need to include police and social services in the early stages. The response to recognition of emotional abuse is more appropriately considered as working towards protection. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.