title: Preventing child abuse and neglect in Saudi Arabia: are we ready?
abstract: Although child abuse and neglect (CAN) have been recognized by medical professionals for the last 20 years, child protection services and child maltreatment prevention programs are still emerging in Saudi Arabia. This paper will review the progress made in the country in terms of recognition and implementation of child protection services. Furthermore, it will draw attention to the essential steps required to start child maltreatment prevention programs, as CAN prevention is currently viewed as a global healthcare priority with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions. In addition, this paper will assess Saudi Arabia's readiness to prevent CAN and the challenges that will be faced by the professionals in implementing evidence-based CAN prevention programs.
authors: National Family Safety Program, Department of Pediatrics, King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. mahamuneef@gmail.com
authors: Maha
authors: M
authors: Almuneef
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Al-Eissa
mesh_terms: D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000266:history / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002654:Child Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019221:Mandatory Reporting; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012529:Saudi Arabia