Regional Index of child maltreatment in Italy

The Regional Index of child maltreatment in Italy is a statistical-quantitive report, processed by Cesvi with a research team, which estimates children’s vulnerability to the phenomenon of maltreatment in the various regions of Italy.

The final results provide a ranking in descending order of the Italian regions, pointing out the performance of each in relation to the capacity for prevention and cure of child maltreatment. At the top of the list are those regions where the risks in the context are lower and where the policies and services are the most adequate for the prevention and opposition to the phenomenon.

A positive and rewarding vision predominates. The analysis, in fact, aims to stimulate a greater political and administrative commitment to the problem from the single territories and the State. Nevertheless the highlighting of those regions at greater risk and with a lesser offering of services is a fundamental factor concerning the territorial intervention priorities which are suggested in the final recommendations of the Index.

The analysis made both on the risk factors and on the services is based on the selection of 65 statistical indicators, grouped according to the Capability Approach and the Human Development’s theory by Amartya Sen. The six capabilites under which the selected indicators have been grouped and analysed are: 1) taking care of oneself and others; 2) living a healthy life; 3) living a safe life 4) gaining knowledge and knowing 5) working; 6) accessing resources and services.

The formula used to compare the regions based on the incidence of the indicators is the same of QUARS, previously applied with success in the “Sbilanciamoci” campaign. The processed outcomes allow the identification of the regions which operate best compared with the others and the national average.

LiberiTutti, the first edition of the Regional Index (2018)

The first edition of The Regional Index of child maltreatment in Italy shows a picture of a country split in two, with the North and most of the Centre above the national average while the South is at the bottom of the ranking, due to the toll of both a less protective context and of a lower availability of services.

Emilia Romagna is the top Italian region for capability in preventing and opposing child maltreatment. This result is achieved thanks to an optimal placing on both the index of risk factors (placed 5^th) and on the index of services and territorial policies (placed 1^st). It is followed by Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Toscana and Valle d’Aosta.

The regions with the lowest overall index include Campania, Calabria, Sicilia, Puglia and Basilicata. Campania is at the bottom of the ranking, last on both the risk factors and services indices.

The assessments of the research results are reflected in a number of concrete proposals for action, to be brought to the attention of the authorities and the competent organs in matters of child protection. We give below a synthesis, which may be studied in more detail in the third chapter of the Index:

• Build up a system of divulgation on child maltreatment based on monitoring tools and related experiences already in use.
• Build up policies of care and prevention for child maltreatment in a specific dedicated debate between State and regions.
• Enact a National Framework Legislation on child maltreatment.
• Create regulatory and administrative tools to ease the building up of inter-generational policies for the prevention of child maltreatment, including financing for current expenditure and grants.
• Assign specific resources to the prevention and care on child maltreatment.
• Improve the efficacy and efficiency of the distribution of existing resources.

The Index is currently available only in italian. It can be downloaded here.