The Smallest Victims: A History of Child Maltreatment and Child Protection in America

This book provides a review of how child maltreatment has been socially constructed, ignored, and formally responded to as it tells the story of how America’s system of child protection has evolved. Additionally, it identifies key questions and related issues.

• Assumes a multidisciplinary approach to the complex topics of child maltreatment and child protection

• Grounds an emotionally provocative social issue in history so that child abuse, exploitation, and fatalities due to maltreatment may be efficiently addressed and/or prevented

• Analyzes the history child trafficking and sex abuse in America, prominent contemporary problems

• Features images, case examples, and a timeline to help guide readers through the evolution of child maltreatment and protection in America