This is the first UK-based study to estimate the lifetime economic costs of child maltreatment. The estimates are based on economic analysis of existing UK longitudinal datasets. This study represents a baseline on which future, more comprehensive, studies could be built when better data are available. By publishing this research we hope to contribute to both the economic evaluation of existing child maltreatment interventions and prevention services and the business case for new services and interventions.

This study gives a conservative estimate for the financial costs of child maltreatment in terms of:

• health care
• social care
• education
• the criminal justice system
• the impact of lost productivity on the economy.

It does not, and cannot, capture the significant intangible costs of abuse to the individuals involved, such as the emotional suffering borne by victims.

Research was conducted by University College London (UCL) on behalf of the NSPCC.

Authors: Gabriella Conti, Stephen Morris, Mariya Melnychuk, Elena Pizzo.
Published: 2017