Child Maltreatment · 2009 · 123 citations · 9 references
Social SciencesChild HealthChild Abuse PediatricsChild PolicyChild WelfareChild AbuseChild NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChildhood NeglectSexual AbuseChild Maltreatment EpidemiologyChild Maltreatment SurveillanceChild Sexual Abuse IncidenceChild Sexual Abuse PrevalenceParental Education EffectsPrevalence RatePrevalence Rate AnalysisRisk Factors For Maltreatment
The first nationwide prevalence study of child maltreatment in the Netherlands (NPM‑2005) replicated the US National Incidence Studies and highlighted that the country lacks a legal obligation to report, a situation that requires reconsideration. Training of professionals in observing and reporting child maltreatment is badly needed. The study collected data from 1,121 trained professionals who recorded six types of abuse and neglect, and also analyzed cases registered by Dutch Child Protection Services. In 2005, an estimated 107,200 children (30 per 1,000) were maltreated, with neglect accounting for 56% of cases, sexual abuse the lowest at 4%, 47% experiencing multiple types, major risk factors being low parental education and unemployment, and only 12.6% of cases reported to Child Protection Services.
The first nationwide prevalence study of child maltreatment in The Netherlands (NPM-2005) was designed as a replication of the National Incidence Studies (NISs) conducted in the United States. Child maltreatment cases were reported by 1,121 professionals from various occupational branches, trained in a detailed registration system of six types of abuse and neglect. In addition, cases registered by the Dutch Child Protection Services (CPS) were analyzed. For 2005, the overall prevalence rate was estimated to be 107,200 (95% CI 102,054-112,882) maltreated children aged 0-18 years, or 30 cases per 1,000 children. Neglect was the most prevalent type (56% of all cases) and sexual abuse had the lowest rate (4%). Of the maltreated children, 47% experienced more than one type of maltreatment. Major risk factors were very low parental education and unemployment. It is worrisome that CPS agencies only see the tip of the iceberg as only 12.6% of all maltreatment cases were reported to the CPS. Training of professionals in observing and reporting child maltreatment is badly needed. The absence of a legal obligation to report in The Netherlands needs reconsideration.
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