Beyond Prevalence: An Explanatory Approach to Reframing Child Maltreatment in the United Kingdom: The Most Prevalent Form of Maltreatment, Child Neglect, Gets the Least Attention From the Public and Policymakers

• NCJ Number: 247186
• Journal: Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 38 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2014 Pages: 810-821
• Author(s): Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor; Eric Lindland; Moira O’Neil; Kate Stanley
• Date Published: May 2014
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reports on research that identified gaps between the public's and experts' understanding of child maltreatment in the United Kingdom.

Abstract

The study found the main challenge facing communicators in framing child maltreatment for the public is the lack of connection between the characteristics of child maltreatment and the effects of maltreatment on the child. Specifically, there is little understanding among the public about the ways in which maltreatment undermines children's neurological, psychological, and cognitive development. This gap impedes the public's; perspectives on ways to address the effects of child maltreatment and improve outcomes for the child victims. As part of this gap, the British public does not understand the mechanisms by which maltreatment leads to negative outcomes. This is the case particularly for neglect. In focusing their concern on physical and sexual child abuse, the public does not understand that not doing something for a child (neglect) can be bad or worse than overt maltreatment. In addition, although the public make a vague connection between maltreatment and negative emotional states, there is little understanding of the ways in which maltreatment disrupts development and of the long-term impacts of such disruptions. Further, although people generally recognize that maltreatment is wrong, they have difficulty in translating this into an appreciation of the widespread social impacts that stem from maltreatment in childhood. These gaps in public understanding and perceptions of the broad individual and social impacts of child maltreatment make it difficult for the public to support the funding of public policies that attempt to address the adverse social consequences of child maltreatment, particularly child neglect. This article recommends that public discourse about child maltreatment focus on clarifying the ways in which "context underpins child maltreatment and how maltreatment disrupts development, with wide-ranging and long-term consequences." A listing of 9 resources