This report addresses the maltreatment of children, the increased risk of death, and the prevention strategies available in New Zealand. The report is divided into two sections. The first section reviews the research literature and highlights the factors that may be associated with an increased risk of fatal child maltreatment. This section provides a summary of child death and injury from maltreatment; differences by age of child victims; hospital admissions statistics; Child, Youth and Family notifications data; and information on the pathways, precursors, and associated risk factors to fatal child maltreatment. The second section examines the ways in which research can inform responses to the vulnerability of children, and includes a further discussion on the services needing development for high-risk children and families.

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