Addressing the Relatively Autonomous Relationship Between Child Maltreatment and Child Protection Policies and Practices

Child protection policies cannot be understood as simple reactions or responses to the phenomena of child maltreatment. They have their own dynamics and determinations to the point where they can be seen to operate quite independently of the phenomena that they are supposed to be trying to prevent. A whole range of political, cultural, and sociological influences come to bare which have the effect of deflecting such policies and systems from recognising the nature of the social problem of child maltreatment. The article develops the argument by summarising a number of both historical and comparative studies of child protection. It also draws upon prevalence studies to demonstrate that the problem is much bigger and more complex than is often assumed. In conclusion, it outlines ways in which this challenge can be addressed