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Abstract
Although a broad range of programmes for prevention of child maltreatment exist, the
effectiveness of most of the programmes is unknown. Two specific home-visiting programmes-the
Nurse-Family Partnership (best evidence) and Early Start-have been shown to prevent
child maltreatment and associated outcomes such as injuries. One population-level
parenting programme has shown benefits, but requires further assessment and replication.
Additional in-hospital and clinic strategies show promise in preventing physical abuse
and neglect. However, whether school-based educational programmes prevent child sexual
abuse is unknown, and there are currently no known approaches to prevent emotional
abuse or exposure to intimate-partner violence. A specific parent-training programme
has shown benefits in preventing recurrence of physical abuse; no intervention has
yet been shown to be effective in preventing recurrence of neglect. A few interventions
for neglected children and mother-child therapy for families with intimate-partner
violence show promise in improving behavioural outcomes. Cognitive-behavioural therapy
for sexually abused children with symptoms of post-traumatic stress shows the best
evidence for reduction in mental-health conditions. For maltreated children, foster
care placement can lead to benefits compared with young people who remain at home
or those who reunify from foster care; enhanced foster care shows benefits for children.
Future research should ensure that interventions are assessed in controlled trials,
using actual outcomes of maltreatment and associated health measures.