Fifty Years of Child Abuse: Milestones, Misconceptions, and Moving On

Abstract

The more we have learned about child protection in the last 50 years, the more we realize its complexity. What seemed straight forward in the past is not a simple as previously thought. Much progress has been made in these 50 years. We know more about the medical and scientific aspects of abuse as well as other factors such as the reliability of children as witnesses and the links between child abuse, domestic violence, and alcohol over-use. We have broadened our views to see abuse as a children’s rights issue. To make a greater difference in child protection we should look beyond our own disciplines. The successful major reduction in morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease and motor vehicle accidents may have some lessons for us in preventing and reducing child abuse. Although there is a long way to go, we are still learning. We are learning about the importance of the early years in shaping a child’s future. We are discovering how our experiences can influence the way some genes function. This has implications for prevention and treatment. Corporal punishment of children is another area where we can play an important role. Many societies still condone hitting children even though it is in contravention of the UN Charter on the Rights of the Child. Forty-six countries have passed legislation to prevent children from being hit. If we are true advocates for children, we should take a firm stand to protect them from corporal punishment.