About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Appalling Number of Children Mistreated in Britain

by Savitha C Muppala on December 4, 2008 at 10:08 AM
 Appalling Number of Children Mistreated in Britain

A new study that examined the treatment of children at home has led to startling revelations.

In Britain, one among ten children face ill-treatment at home in the form of physical, emotional or sexual abuse but only one tenth of cases are actually reported. Eventually what comes to light is perhaps only the tip of the iceberg.  

Advertisement

Professor Ruth Gilbert, from University College London, who led the study, said the magnitude of the problem might simply 'overwhelm' the social services, if all cases of child abuse actually came to light. 

According to Dr Richard Reading, from the University of East Anglia, statistics show that parents who hit their children run a greater risk of being abusers. He said, "In general parents who resort to physical punishment are also more likely statistically to be abusers."
Advertisement

According to Professor Gilbert, many of the suspicions noted by teachers, nurses and GPs did not come out fearing potential separation from parents and its consequences on the welfare of the child.  

She said: "On a population basis this is a much bigger problem than is recognised.

"When it is recognised by professionals it often doesn't get reported.

"When it does get reported there are issues about whether investigation and assessment go hand in hand with services.

"The evidence ... is that that does not always seem to be the case."

The state needs to think out of the box to assist parents and safeguard children without any extra baggage of stigma, which a social services investigation might bring.

Dr Richard Horton, editor of the Lancet, said: "This is a much bigger public health problem than is currently perceived and the risk factors reach deep into society."



Source: Medindia
SAV
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest General Health News

Hawk Data Pro: An Essential One Health Surveillance Tool for Rabies Management
Implementing the Hawk Data Pro system as a passive surveillance tool enabled us to record an ongoing rabies outbreak within a major Indian metropolis.
Wild Poliovirus Resurfaces in Pakistan
The Pakistan Ministry has announced the commencement of a nationwide polio vaccination campaign beginning on October 2, aiming to immunize more children.
US Woman Loses All Limbs in Fish-Related Bacterial Outbreak
In a tragic incident, a woman in the US experienced the loss of all her limbs as a result of a bacterial outbreak linked to the consumption of contaminated fish.
NIH Launches the First In-Human Universal Flu Vaccine Trial
FluMos-v2, a unique universal influenza vaccine candidate, undergoing a phase 1 trial at NIH, increases recipients' immunity against many influenza viruses.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative Assesses Vaccination Strategies in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the polio campaign focuses on more than 270,000 children under the age of five years, residing in areas with insufficient vaccine coverage.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Appalling Number of Children Mistreated in Britain Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests