Prevalence of Child Maltreatment in the Netherlands

• NCJ Number: 229518
• Journal: Child Maltreatment Volume: 15 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 5-17
• Author(s): Eveline M. Euser; Marinus H. van IJzendoorn; Peter Prinzie; Marian J. Bakermans-Kranenburg
• Date Published: February 2010
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): 452-04-306
• Sponsoring Agency: Netherlands Ministry of Justice; Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study provides the first systematic, nationwide prevalence study on child abuse and neglect (CAN)in the Netherlands.

Abstract

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 6 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 percent 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 percent of all cases) and sexual abuse had the lowest rate (4percent). Of the maltreated children, 47 percent 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 percent 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. Tables and references (Published Abstract)