Child Neglect : Current Definitions and Models

Our mission is to help the people of Canada maintain and improve their health. Également en français sous le titre La négligence à l'égard des enfants : définitions et modèles actuels—Examen de la recherche portant sur la négligence à l'égard des enfants, 1993–1998. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Health Canada. Contents may not be reproduced for commercial purposes, but any other reproduction, with acknowledgements, is encouraged. This publication may be provided in alternate formats upon request. 1 Introduction Child Neglect: Current Definitions and Models—A review of child neglect research, 1993–1998 was produced by Health Canada's Family Violence Prevention Unit (FVPU) of the Centre for Healthy and Human Development. Through the FVPU, Health Canda leads the Family Violence Initiative (FVI), and coordinates the relevant activities of 13 federal departments and three central agencies. Under the current FVI, Health Canada remains committed to addressing family violence issues, including all forms of child abuse. In October 1998, the FVPU invited Canadian experts in child abuse issues to meet to help Health Canada and its partners set future directions in preventing child abuse. One of the more pressing areas that the committee recommended be researched was the issue of " neglect. " Dr. Paul Steinhauer, renowned for his work in this field, emphasized the importance of " neglect " especially in the early years of child development. Infant's brains are immature at birth and do not reach full maturity until the age of two. This is an extremely sensitive and critical period in the child's development. During this period, certain areas of the brain show heightened sensitiv-Introduction ity to stimulation. Severe or chronic neglect also does long term damage to brain development with the result being lifelong changes to the individual's ability to regulate thought, emotions , and behaviour. In Canada, the definitions of abuse and neglect differ among jurisdictions. In undertaking the Canadian Incidence Study on Reported Child Abuse and Neglect, a multi-stage survey design was used because there is a broad array of agency information, variations in definitions of child abuse and neglect, and inconsistent file recording standards. This document builds on past work and complements current activities in the area of child neglect. This report summarizes research definitions and child welfare models for the prevention and treatment of child neglect. The review was limited to relevant research …