Chapter 2- Setting the Scene
2.3 Collecting multi-source multi-method maltreatment data
Each of the methods described above to collect maltreatment data have their limitations.
Some researchers have suggested that due to these limitations it may be that that most prevalence figures are likely to be underestimates (112). With advances in researchers’ ability to link various sources of data using identifying information on children and their families, a combination of different data sources can be used capture maltreatment data (42). Methods and techniques for collecting data on experiences of maltreatment have advanced in recent years (30), such as the increasing use of routine data. Further research needs to be done on the best ways to use a variety of data from a variety of sources to collect maltreatment data.
This chapter described the nature of maltreatment and explored prevalence rates of
maltreatment in the UK and worldwide. Although data on what is defined as ‘maltreatment’
are being widely collected, it may also be important to focus on data not defined as
maltreatment, including factors that may increase the risk of maltreatment or markers that may give a clue as to the presence of maltreatment. These are described in a later literature review ‘What are the markers and risk factors of child maltreatment?’
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