Preventing child abuse and neglect is our highest priority. Abuse and neglect can cause major difficulties for children such as developmental delay, difficulty forming relationships, physical health problems, behavioural problems, educational difficulties and serious lifelong mental health problems.
The effects of abuse and neglect can last a lifetime and have been associated with suicide, eating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, high-risk sexual behaviour, violence and criminal offending, homelessness and tragically, the abuse and neglect of one’s own children.
The cost of prevention in both dollar terms and the impact on children and society are much less than dealing with the devastating consequences of child abuse and neglect.