This volume investigates the systemic failures in policy and practice regarding the identification, reporting, and management of child sexual abuse. Catherine Itzin, a prominent researcher in the field of violence against women and children, compiles a comprehensive set of perspectives to challenge existing institutional responses. The work argues that current legal and social frameworks often prioritize administrative convenience over the safety and long-term recovery of victims. By synthesizing academic research with practical observations, the text provides a critical framework for reforming how state agencies and social services address abuse.

Experts recognize this collection as a significant contribution to the discourse on child protection and institutional accountability. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for professionals, policymakers, and students of social welfare.