Abstract:
In this paper, cumulative harm is
defined, past approaches that have
contributed to conceptualising
maltreatment as an isolated event
are discussed. Possible indicators of
chronic maltreatment are highlighted
and the potential for chronic
maltreatment to have a cumulative
impact on children is demonstrated
using a case example. The paper
focuses on the Victorian context, but
the issues of cumulative harm and
chronic child maltreatment have
relevance to policy-makers and
practitioners in other jurisdictions.