The Successes and Limitations of Contemporary Approaches to Child Protection

This chapter acknowledges the successes in child protection as well as the weaknesses and limitations that need to be addressed through the development of public health approaches. The child protection intervention framework is problematized as not delivering well enough the aims it has espoused. Global perspectives and historical developments are explored, including the similarities and differences found among approaches around the globe. We explore the difficulties experienced by contemporary systems such as: institutional and system processes and responses; dealing with poverty and neglect; the stigma associated with statutory interventions; the negative impacts of child abuse and neglect upon children, families and communities; the increasing system costs; the changing social constructions of childhood and maltreatment; the challenges of evaluating systemic outcomes and efficacy; and reform processes in child protection. This chapter challenges the philosophical underpinnings of child protection approaches and argues for reform of them through public health approaches that promote earlier intervention and prevention strategies.