The Aetiology of Physical and Sexual Abuse of children (APSA)

Several theories have been advanced to explain the causes and conditions leading to child physical and child sexual abuse. These include biological, psychopathological, situational and cultural theories. Over time there has been a move away from single factor explanations and increased emphasis on developing more sophisticated and integrative theories of child abuse. This research study reviews dominant integrative theories and seeks to identify inherent strengths and limitations within these. From this analysis the study will attempt to develop a new model of violence against children which takes account of the individual, their broader ecological context and the operation of social structures.

The study aims to draw together current evidence concerning the origins, causes or conditions associated with child sexual and child physical abuse and theoretical approaches used in the study of the aetiology of physical and sexual abuse.