ABSTRACT

Primary and secondary types of abuse and neglect reported across cultures A recent study in the UK suggests that the prevalence of child maltreatment is reducing (Radford et al., 2011). However, ascertaining the true prevalence of maltreatment is difficult (Ferrari, 2002). As Clark (1995) says:

Child protection data from the UK, USA and (Australian) states tell a similar story – the statistics reveal more about the ambiguous definition of child abuse and neglect, and the anxiety of the community and professional groups, than they do about real incidence; child protection data measure the investigative and administrative work-loads of the agencies involved.