NCJ Number
167720
Date Published
1993
Length
214 pages
Annotation
The U.S. Advisory Board on Child Abuse and Neglect believes the currently ineffective and counterproductive status quo must be changed in order to reverse the continuing escalation in child maltreatment.
Abstract
The board argues that a new look must be taken at multiple and complex factors that lead to child abuse and neglect, that serious faults in the existing child protection system must be examined, and that a new strategy must be implemented to better protect children from harm. Five elements of a new national strategy are detailed: (1) strengthen neighborhoods; (2) reorient the delivery of human services, including justice services; (3) improve the role of government in addressing child maltreatment; (4) refocus social values that contribute to child maltreatment; and (5) strengthen and broaden the knowledge base about child abuse and neglect. Principles to guide the implementation of the new national strategy are outlined, and a comprehensive implementation approach is described. The report contains 34 specific policy recommendations to help children lead healthier, happier lives. Additional information on child protection from abuse and neglect is contained in seven appendixes.