It Takes a Community: Preventing Child Maltreatment of Toddler-Aged Children in the US from an Ecological Systems Perspective

Abstract

This article explores the impact of child maltreatment on toddler-aged children in the United States. It examines both risk and protective factors centered on child maltreatment. This article utilizes an ecological systems theoretical perspective to better understand the community level prevention and intervention strategies for this particular age cohort and population. It is imperative that education and resources are viewed as a public health prevention measure at the community level in order to combat child maltreatment among this vulnerable population.

Keywords

• child maltreatment
• toddler-aged children
• ecological theory
• community intervention
• prevention