Los datos del maltrato infantil en España: una visión de conjunto

Resumen

Los datos de la magnitud del problema de los malos tratos infantiles en España aparecidos en los artículos anteriores se discuten aquí en una visión de conjunto en la que se resaltan tanto las semejanzas existentes entre unos datos y otros, cuanto las diferencias que también hay entre ellos. Se pone un especial énfasis en señalar la diferente naturaleza de los datos en función de cuáles sean las fuentes de información y cuáles los procedimientos utilizados para hacer estimaciones o proyecciones para toda la población infantil. Esta perspectiva comparative-crítica se amplía al análisis de la comparación entre los datos españoles y los procedentes de estudios llevados a cabo en otros países.

Abstract

Data on the magnitude of the problem of child abuse in Spain reported in various papers in this issue are discussed. This overview highlights similarities as well as differences between the data. It is important to emphasize the different nature of the data depending on which sources of information and procedures were used to make estimates or projections for the entire child population. This comparative-critical perspective also includes an analysis of results from studies carried out in Spain and abroad.

Extended Summary

The data reported in the four preceding articles show a diversity of approaches both in terms of design and methodology. Thus, some data refer to an entire autonomous community (e.g., Cataluña, Andalucia), while other refer to a single province (Guipuzcoa), or to the whole of Spain (case-file study). Some of the work are studies carried out to detect cases of abuse with the help of professionals in direct contact with children; in other cases, it involves registered cases of abuse to children under government protection. To add even more diversity, there is a great variation in the procedures used to make projections beyond the specific data reported by professionals. Due to these differences, it is best to interpret with great precaution the data on the magnitude of the problem of child abuse in Spain; both when estimates produce similar figures (Guipuzcoa and Andalucia), as well as when the figures are quite different (Cataluña).

It is nevertheless surprising that in spite of this great diversity, in terms of the frequency of different types of abuse, the data reported are very similar. Overall, neglect is much more common than any other type of abuse, followed by emotional abuse and, further behind, physical abuse.

Existing similarities between social and familial circumstances associated to child abuse are also analysed. These circumstances tend to repeat themselves, and to point to social, family, and personal environments framed by conflict, difficulties, and lack of resources. There is also a consensus in the data for gender and age. In terms of gender, there is a slight predominance of boys over girls. Percentages of children abused at each age is relatively stable throughout childhood with a sudden drop after puberty.

Finally, these data are compared with figures from other countries in order to highlight the diversity and difficulties in making comparisons. Differences between incidence data and prevalence data are discussed. The paper finishes with a call for more research to increase current knowledge on the magnitude of the problem of child abuse in Spain.

Palabras clave:

• Maltrato infantil
• abuso
• prevalencia
• incidencia

Keywords:

• Child abuse
• abuse
• prevalence
• incidence