Child Maltreatment Effects and Prevention: The Advocacy Role for Professionals

Abstract

The effects of maltreatment of children and of the interventions which follow official reports are inevitably difficult to separate. The literature is briefly reviewed and findings from a follow up study of South Australian reports are presented. Professionals have a variety of roles in preventing the abuse and neglect of children, and in facilitating optimal conditions for their development. Improved conditions for Australian children are likely to arise through communication and collaboration between professionals from several child-related areas.