Through a comparative study of the designs of child abuse reporting systems in nine countries including the United States, England, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Germany, Belgium, and Sweden, Combatting Child Abuse sheds light on common problems and policy responses currently emerging in efforts to reduce child abuse.

By analyzing the philosophy, structure, and operation of these reporting systems and their outcomes, Neil Gilbert illuminates alternative perspectives on how the problem of child abuse is defined and introduces an expanded view of policy options designed to protect children.