Prevention is an action or a set of actions designed to stop something before it actually occurs.
Prevention is an action or a set of actions designed to stop something before it actually occurs. The prevention of child abuse and neglect is a complex problem needing a whole set of strategies and actions to be successful in stopping maltreatment from occurring. In general, prevention includes a wide range of activities – known as “interventions” or “strategies” aimed at reducing risks or threats to our health and well-being. In the public health approach to prevention, efforts are usually defined by the three categories of: Primary Prevention (intervening before abuse occurs), Secondary Prevention (interventions targeted at ‘at risk’ groups) and Tertiary Prevention (interventions provided to those who have experienced abuse or neglect to prevent further harm).
A focus on primary prevention is supported by research that demonstrates the value and significance of early intervention and comprehensive approaches involving a range of child and family welfare sectors to produce positive outcomes for children. The concept of child wellbeing demands a holistic approach that would integrate the three levels of the public health model of service delivery, into broader social issues and service systems. In order to reduce the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, child protection needs to evolve from a response-to-risk approach to a broader notion of ‘child wellbeing’, with a focus on family support, child abuse and neglect prevention and early intervention programs.
The need for prevention and early intervention is highlighted by the fact that child maltreatment is often a recurring issue in families, sometimes becoming chronic with multiple adverse events contributing to repeated abuse. The likelihood of abuse and neglect leading to negative physical, cognitive, psychological, behavioural and social consequences in adulthood underlines the importance of prevention.
Promoting quality research so the causes and impact of child abuse and neglect can be better understood and effective ways to prevent it can be developed and measured.
Coordinating National Child Protection Week and promoting the Play Your Part strategy to invite all Australians to play their part to promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. “Protecting children is everyone’s business.”
Providing resources and training to support the safety and wellbeing of children and young people ranging from role based factsheets and brochures to child centred training, programs and initiatives such as the Aboriginal Girls Circle.
Advocating for changes in policies and strategies that place the wellbeing and safety of children and young people first.
Developing and promoting community led prevention programs and initiatives, that are evidenced based and effective in reducing the risks of abuse and neglect for children and young people, through our own programs such as Love Bites, All Children Being Safe, #Friends and promoting others through the Play Your Part Awards.
To solve the problem we must first understand it.
Conducting quality research on child abuse and neglect and evaluating the effectiveness of actions and programs to prevent it is essential.
Too little research has been conducted into the wellbeing and safety of children and young people. For example in Australia we do not measure the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, we use the substantiated notifications to our eight State and Territory Child Protection Systems as a proxy, knowing it is a significant understatement.
NAPCAN believes it should be a national research priority to increase the knowledge of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect and effective strategies of preventing it in Australia.
The key research bodies which currently conduct and/or collate research in this area are:
Australia Catholic University – Institute of Child Protection Studies
Australian Institute of Criminology
Australian Institute of Family Studies
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare “A Picture of Australia’s Children in 2009”