Steven Walker is an Alumnus of the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he gained an MSc in Social Work and Social Policy. He has an MPhil in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and qualified as a Psychotherapist in 1992. Steven worked in Child Protection and CAMHS for 20 years and then Head of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University, where he designed and developed award-winning multi-disciplinary CAMH training.Steven has published 14 text books, presented his research at 15 International Conferences and published over 50 scholarly papers for International Journals. Steven is a former Unicef Children's Champion, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the International Council of Professional Therapists. He works as an Expert Witness in Child Care and CAMHS legal cases, a visiting lecturer at the University of Essex, a volunteer Psychotherapist with the Youth Enquiry Service charity and is a member of the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Coalition.

The various historical constructions of childhood, child abuse and children's rights present us with evidence of the terrible ubiquity of child mistreatment, its changing forms and the necessity of child safeguarding and protection. This ambitious book paints an important and erudite picture of child abuse and social responses to it, bringing us up-to-date with a call for continued vigilance, compassion, and action.Professor Jonathan ParkerProfessor of Society & Social Welfare, Bournemouth UniversitySteven has done a vast amount of research covering a massive range of topics and international perspectives. I admire him for embarking on this massive adventure. He has brought into focus child abuse previously raised in disparate ways not brought together before in one place.Dr Liz DaviesEmeritus Professor of Social Work, London Metropolitan UniversitySteven Walker’s book is an erudite and articulate antidote to the dominant Anglo-American narrative that child abuse was ‘discovered’ in the 1960s. It presents an analysis with a global sweep, starting in Jericho in 7,000BC and finishing with the latest debates about the relationship between child abuse and poverty. Challenging popular notions that child abuse is perpetrated by evil or irrational individuals, it examines how child abuse has been woven into the fabric of our societies. A fascinating and thought-provoking read for anyone who wants to understand our current responses to child abuse.Professor Andrew Whittaker Professor of Social Work Research, London South Bank UniversityDr Andrew WhittakerProfessor of Social Work Research, London South Bank University

• 1. Child abuse in ancient times 2: Fairy tales, folklore and religion 3. Defining child abuse 4. Revealing child abuse 5: Children as labour 6. Child sexual abuse becomes public 7. The Contemporary picture 8. Changing perceptions of children 9. Children’s rights and parents support

Steven Walker is an Alumnus of the London School of Economics and Political Science, where he gained an MSc in Social Work and Social Policy. He has an MPhil in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and qualified as a Psychotherapist in 1992. Steven worked in Child Protection and CAMHS for 20 years and then Head of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University, where he designed and developed award-winning multi-disciplinary CAMH training.Steven has published 14 text books, presented his research at 15 International Conferences and published over 50 scholarly papers for International Journals. Steven is a former Unicef Children's Champion, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and a member of the International Council of Professional Therapists. He works as an Expert Witness in Child Care and CAMHS legal cases, a visiting lecturer at the University of Essex, a volunteer Psychotherapist with the Youth Enquiry Service charity and is a member of the Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Coalition.

The various historical constructions of childhood, child abuse and children's rights present us with evidence of the terrible ubiquity of child mistreatment, its changing forms and the necessity of child safeguarding and protection. This ambitious book paints an important and erudite picture of child abuse and social responses to it, bringing us up-to-date with a call for continued vigilance, compassion, and action.Professor Jonathan ParkerProfessor of Society & Social Welfare, Bournemouth UniversitySteven has done a vast amount of research covering a massive range of topics and international perspectives. I admire him for embarking on this massive adventure. He has brought into focus child abuse previously raised in disparate ways not brought together before in one place.Dr Liz DaviesEmeritus Professor of Social Work, London Metropolitan UniversitySteven Walker’s book is an erudite and articulate antidote to the dominant Anglo-American narrative that child abuse was ‘discovered’ in the 1960s. It presents an analysis with a global sweep, starting in Jericho in 7,000BC and finishing with the latest debates about the relationship between child abuse and poverty. Challenging popular notions that child abuse is perpetrated by evil or irrational individuals, it examines how child abuse has been woven into the fabric of our societies. A fascinating and thought-provoking read for anyone who wants to understand our current responses to child abuse.Professor Andrew Whittaker Professor of Social Work Research, London South Bank UniversityDr Andrew WhittakerProfessor of Social Work Research, London South Bank University

• 1. Child abuse in ancient times 2: Fairy tales, folklore and religion 3. Defining child abuse 4. Revealing child abuse 5: Children as labour 6. Child sexual abuse becomes public 7. The Contemporary picture 8. Changing perceptions of children 9. Children’s rights and parents support