The Nature and Prevalence of Child Abuse
Authors: Radford, L.; Dodd, S.; Barter, C.; Stanley, N. and Akhlaq, A.
Professor Radford has provided the Inquiry with a Report on the nature and prevalence (or extent) of child abuse in high-income countries generally and in Scotland in particular.
The Report:
- Investigates the nature and prevalence of child abuse in high-income countries, both overall and in relation to children in care.
- Investigates the nature and prevalence of child abuse in the UK generally and in Scotland in particular, both overall and in relation to children in care.
- Identifies any significant gaps in the existing published research and how any such gaps could be addressed.
Professor Radford’s Report identified high-quality, peer-reviewed literature on the nature and prevalence of child abuse:
- in high-income countries;
- in the UK generally; and,
- in Scotland in particular.
The material has been systematically assessed to ensure that only relevant work of suitable quality is included. A narrative analysis of the findings has been written, organised around key themes which emerged as most relevant to answering the research questions.