Child Protection Victims and the “Evil Institutions”

C.H.C.J. van Nijnatten, M. Hopman, G.C.M. Knijn

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The Dutch child protection system has been the target of harsh criticism in recent decades. The legitimacy of child protection services seems to have eroded. In this article, we analyze this changing legitimacy of child protection against the background of declining parental authority and in relation to the disappearance of positive pedagogical ideologies and the mainly bureaucratic response of child protection agencies. Two recent inquiries in the Netherlands on child sexual abuse within child protection-related services have emphasized the position of children as vulnerable victims of negative pedagogical practices, mirroring a general trend of “victimization”. It is concluded that reinforcement of the professional role of child protection workers may be a start towards building new trust in child protection and establishing a newfound legitimacy.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationContemporary Developments in Child Protection
Subtitle of host publicationPolicy Changes and Challenges
Place of PublicationBasel
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Pages726-741
Number of pages16
Volume1
ISBN (Print)978-3038421184
Publication statusPublished - 2015

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