Treating the effects of child abuse

Child abuse has always been with us and it takes many different forms. It is estimated that more than 100,000 children are abused in the Netherlands each year. In recent years, the government has taken strong measures to improve the prevention, detection, and reporting of child abuse. Given the lack of clarity concerning the available treatment options for juvenile and adult victims of child abuse, the Minister for Youth and Family has requested the Health Council’s advice on this matter. He asked for a summary of the current level of knowledge regarding treatment of the effects of child abuse, and an explanation of the nature of these effects. He further requested an indication of the care requirement, and recommendations on how the care for victims can be improved.

Committee

• Prof. E. Schadé, Professor of General Practice and Family Medicine, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, chairman
• Prof. M.A.G. van Aken, Professor of Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University
• Prof. A.R. Arntz, Professor of Clinical Psychology, Maastricht University
• Dr. I.J. ten Berge, Senior Associate for youth care services and parenting support, Netherlands Youth Institute, Utrecht
• Dr. P.J. Draijer, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam
• Prof. F. Lamers-Winkelman, Emeritus Professor of Prevention and Care Provision in Child Abuse, VU University Amsterdam
• Dr. R.J.L. Lindauer, Child and adolescent psychiatrist / philosopher, Head of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, and the substantive divisional director O4, de Bascule, Amsterdam
• Dr. S. Lo Fo Wong, GP, St. Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen/ Rotterdam
• M.H. van de Merwe, Medical counsellor, Maasstad Hospital, Rotterdam
• Prof. S.A. Reijneveld, Professor of Social Medicine, University Medical Center, Groningen
• A.C. van der Tuin, Senior Policy Officer dealing with child abuse, Youth and Family Division, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, The Hague, observer
• Dr. V.W.T. Ruiz van Haperen, Health Council of the Netherlands, The Hague, scientific secretary