Start research into signs of child abuse for the benefit of educational professionals

The consequences of child abuse for children are severe, but it is recognized too little and too late, for example by professionals. Or, professionals struggle with the question of how to address these suspicions. The sooner help comes for children who experience child abuse, the better. In collaboration with Fonds Slachtofferhulp (the Dutch Victim Support Fund), NSCR conducts research into the signals of child abuse and translates these results into a toolkit for educational professionals.

Why this project?

Experiencing child abuse can have serious and long-lasting consequences for children. Targeted and early help for children can limit the risk of these consequences. That is why it is important that we notice signs of child abuse in time. For example, by teachers who have daily and intensive contact with children and their parents in their work. In practice, it proven difficult for teachers to recognize signs of child abuse.

There is currently little systematic research into the context in which signals of child abuse occur and how they are interpreted. There is also insufficient information material for teachers that meets their needs of identifying child abuse and supporting a child. Especially because it is not always easy for them to discuss this topic: after all, the relationship and daily contact with parents and children is a very important aspect of their daily work and may therefore be 'at stake'.

Content of the project

This project consists of three parts.

• Extensive literature and file research into the signs of child abuse, not only of the children themselves, but also in the context of the family and the broader social environment.
• Interviews with professionals and experts.
• Developing a toolkit for educational professionals in primary education. This is done in collaboration with educationalists, pedagogues and teachers.

By using the toolkit, educational professionals can identify child abuse earlier and help can be sought sooner. The sooner help is sought, the sooner the child can grow up safely again.

About the researchers

Carlijn van Baak will carry out the project for the next two years as a postdoc researcher under the supervision of Veroni. Carlijn has a background in criminology and criminal law and her PhD research focuses on the behavior of bystanders during violent situations. Within this research, she investigated, among other things, under what circumstances bystanders - citizens - report intimate partner violence to Veilig Thuis. By investigating the role of bystanders - both citizens and professionals - in domestic violence and child abuse, she hopes to contribute to intervention options and the development of effective strategies to prevent violence, based on scientific insights.

Veroni Eichelsheim is a senior researcher at the NSCR and professor at the University of Groningen (RUG). Within the chair 'Intergenerational continuity of deviant behavior' she investigates deviant developments over the life course over several generations and also looks at interventions for these families. In her research, Veroni focuses on the development of children and adolescents, parenting, problem behavior and delinquency, children of criminal parents and the intergenerational transmission of problems.

The project will start in August 2024 and is expected to be completed in August 2026.

Also read this message on the Victim Support Fund project page (only available in Dutch).