UNITED KINGDOM: Child Abuse and Neglect in the UK Today

This report presents new research findings from the NSPCC on child maltreatment in the United Kingdom, looking specifically at the prevalence and impact of severe maltreatment. The research found that the rates of child maltreatment reported by young adults aged 18–24 were lower in 2009 than in 1998, suggesting maltreatment may be less prevalent today. However, significant minorities of children and young people in the UK today are experiencing severe maltreatment and this is associated with poorer emotional wellbeing, self-harm, suicidal ideation and delinquent behaviour.

Background

In 2000 the NSPCC published ground breaking research on the prevalence of child maltreatment in the UK. The research was based on a household survey of 2,869 young adults’ memories of childhood abuse (Cawson et al, 2000). In the past 11 years a lot has changed in children’s lives and in methods of research. The new research aimed to provide up to date information on the prevalence and impact of child maltreatment in a nationally representative sample of children and young people living in the UK, and to compare rates of childhood experiences reported by young adults interviewed in 2009 with rates reported in 1998-9. This study looked at children’s and young adults’ experiences of childhood maltreatment at home, in school and in the community.

 

Further Information:

pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/1323_child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181_...

Web: 
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/inform/research/findings/researchfindings_wda48259.html

Countries

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