Has child protection become a form of madness? No

Abuse of children is a global problem. In the United States over three million reports of child abuse are made every year and almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse.1 In the UK, currently around 46 000 children are the subject of a child protection plan.2 But research indicates that abuse and neglect are both under-reported and under-recorded, so such figures underestimate the prevalence of child abuse. A recent survey found that 18.6% of secondary school children in the UK have been severely abused or neglected during childhood—equivalent to 973 000 children across the UK.2

Most abused and neglected children are not getting the help they need, and the consequences are potentially devastating. Physical abuse of children may result in death or serious physical injuries. Sexual abuse can …