Child maltreatment data: A summary of progress, prospects and challenges

Area of Science:

• Child maltreatment research
• Global public health surveillance
• Data science in social welfare

Background:

• Established in 1996, the ISPCAN Working Group on Child Maltreatment Data (ISPCAN-WGCMD) serves as an international platform for professionals addressing child maltreatment data.
• Facilitates sharing of concerns and solutions among experts in the field.

Framework:

• Explores diverse data collection methodologies: self-report, sentinel surveillance, and administrative data.
• Highlights how different methods meet varied information needs for understanding child maltreatment.
• Connects data collection strategies to prevention and intervention systems.

Implementation:

• Acknowledges progress in global child maltreatment data accessibility, noting its sophistication in many regions.
• Recognizes ongoing challenges and data gaps in various parts of the world.

Implications:

• The ISPCAN-WGCMD has significantly contributed to understanding and combating child maltreatment globally, aligning with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Emphasizes the need for intensified efforts to improve data quality and availability for more effective child protection measures.