Title: Child maltreatment
Headings: Child maltreatment
Child maltreatment
Key facts
Scope of the problem
Consequences of maltreatment
Risk factors
Child
Parent or caregiver
Relationship
Community and societal factors
Prevention
WHO response

Content: Extreme stress can impair the development of the nervous and immune systems. Consequently, as adults, maltreated children are at increased risk for behavioural, physical and mental health problems such as: perpetrating or being a victim of violence
depression
smoking
obesity
high-risk sexual behaviours
unintended pregnancy
alcohol and drug misuse. Via these behavioural and mental health consequences, maltreatment can contribute to heart disease, cancer, suicide and sexually transmitted infections. Violence against children is also a contributor to inequalities in education. Children who experienced any form of violence in childhood have a 13% greater likelihood of not graduating from school. Beyond the health, social and educational consequences of child maltreatment, there is an economic impact, including costs of hospitalization, mental health treatment, child welfare, and longer-term health costs. Risk factors
Several risk factors for child maltreatment have been identified. Not all risk factors are present in all social and cultural contexts, and the list here provides an overview when attempting to understand the causes of child maltreatment. Child
It is important to emphasize that children are the victims and are never to blame for maltreatment.