Prevention of violence, abuse and neglect in early childhood: a review of the literature on research, policy and practice

Today, levels of mistreatment of children are internationally reported as having reached epidemic proportions. Throughout recorded history babies and young children have suffered acts of violence by parents, care providers and others. However, ‘some believe that, for the first time in history, we are beginning to face the true prevalence and significance of child abuse’ (Hopper, J. (2010). In this review of the literature, we use ECVAN (early childhood violence, abuse and neglect) to refer to violence, abuse and neglect of children, birth to eight years, in harmony with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). The review has been undertaken using a comprehensive series of data bases across all major disciplines which have regard to the heath, well-being and development of young children from birth to 8 years – and beyond wherever appropriate. The paper is guided by a socio-ecological model of contexts, participants and interactional complexity. There is no simple explanation for the abuse of young children – sometimes systemic in particular cultures – as there is no simple mechanism for the early identification of possible abusers and hence preventative practice. A wide range of contemporary research literature has enabled us to draw out significant issues related to abuse and abuse prevention. Central to all this we suggest is community engagement with the issue of child health, the establishment or refinement of public health policies and practices which through routine surveillance, parent support, education and multisectoral actions bring best practice to the fore within and on behalf of families and communities.