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Policing responses to child neglect: it’s not just about crime investigation

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well
  • SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Abstract

Child neglect is a serious and pervasive form of child maltreatment with far-reaching developmental, health and social consequences for children across the life span. Whilst neglect may reach a criminal threshold, the nature of neglect often means it does not. Identifying and responding to neglect are especially difficult for police because of the complexities associated with it. This chapter addresses the knowledge officers need to discharge their duties relating to the criminal and safeguarding aspects of neglect (HM Government, 2023). The first half of the chapter defines neglect, framed by wider debates in research, policy and practice; highlighting the contested nature of the term. It also examines the evidence about neglected children, who neglects them, risk factors and indicators for neglect, and its impact. The second half examines practice challenges and approaches in identifying and responding to neglect, and, where it reaches criminal thresholds, investigating it. The terminology of ‘victimology’ and ‘perpetrators’ is generally avoided, to acknowledge criminal thresholds are not always met. Moreover, neglect is often determined by multiple risk factors and underlying systemic problems, such as inequality and poverty, which can make it difficult to disentangle parental or carer ‘intent’.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding Chapter Peer-review

Host publication Subtitle

A Companion Guide

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 201-233 (33 pages)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 28/12/2024

Publication status

Published - 28/12/2024

Place of publication

Switzerland

Edition

1

Publisher

Palgrave Macmillan Ltd., United States, United Kingdom

ISBN (Print)

9783031745034

ISBN (Electronic)

9783031745041

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/626747
  • Scopus: 105004135132

Host publication title

Policing Public Protection

Host publication editors

  • Rachael Aplin

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