Child abuse reconsidered the urgency of authentic prevention

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Abstract
This editorial examines recent research findings on high recidivism rates among treated abusive parents. Inasmuch as high rates occur even in well‐funded programs staffed by skilled professionals, alternatives to conventional, case‐oriented strategies are indicated. These include legal changes that would facilitate termination of parental rights in intractable cases and adoption of abused children. Promising strategies of secondary prevention involving intervention with high risk parents during the perinatal period are also discussed. The prevention of child abuse can be accomplished, however, only by eliminating its causes. Some of the causes of child abuse are presented, and primary prevention is urged as the only means to eradicate child abuse.

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