Guest Editorial: Public Health Approaches to Safeguarding Children

Child maltreatment is increasingly being understood within a public health framework (Barlow and Calam, 2011; Gilbert et al., 2008; Putnam-Hornstein et al., 2011; Segal and Dalziel, 2011; Shanahan et al., 2011; World Health Organization, 1998). Globally and nationally, the high numbers of children and young people affected by child abuse and neglect are increasing as knowledge and understanding about the phenomena grow, and the escalating cost measured in fiscal, social and health terms is recognised.