Preventing Child Abuse

Abstract

The longer-term effects of child abuse will be discussed in the next chapter. Whatever the implications of abuse for the victim’s future, no child should have to experience the pain and degradation experienced by Marie, Helen and Sarah. Moreover the more longstanding the abuse the more children are likely to be imprisoned by their situation. They may have become attached to the perpetrator, resist removal into care and be trapped in a maelstrom of negative feelings. Because of this the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’ is nowhere more applicable than it is in relation to the abuse of children.