Child Abuse and Neglect: Part II— Practical Intervention and Prevention Activities

ISSN 0817-8542 ISBN 0 642 24188 0 Children who are abused suffer greatly, and a society in which abuse takes place is considerably diminished. Child abuse prevention programs play an important role in crime prevention, because not only is abuse a criminal activity, children who are abused are at greater risk of engaging in antisocial and criminal behaviour later in life. Child abuse prevention is a complex and sensitive policy area involving all three levels of government as well as many different community organisations. Early intervention which results in more positive parent-child interaction has been demonstrated to have significant benefits for vulnerable children and for society as a whole. Benefits may continue as the child matures, and can lead to improved health and better employment opportunities. This paper describes a number of programs that have been shown to work. They range from parenting and anger management programs to multifaceted in-house services. This paper complements Trends and Issues No 146 Child Abuse and Neglect: Part 1—Redefining the Issues which was published in February 2000.