The role of schools in detecting and responding to child maltreatment: A collabora-tive approach for evidence-based policy development in Switzerland and Vietnam

Introduction: Child abuse and neglect are serious issues in both low-to-middle and high-income countries. Victims face significant short-term and long-term developmental prob-lems, and the economic impact on society is substantial due to productivity losses and high costs in health care and social services. In Switzerland, around one in six adolescents expe-rienced some form of child abuse or neglect last year, while in Vietnam, this number is esti-mated to be about 50%. Despite these high rates, many victims, especially in Vietnam, do not receive professional help. A significant challenge in addressing child maltreatment is that many victims do not disclose their experiences, often due to lack of trust in available support systems. School personnel, such as teachers and social workers, can play a crucial role in identifying and supporting these victims, though the factors influencing disclosure and the effectiveness of school re-sponses vary widely. Objectives: This study aims to improve understanding and responses to child maltreatment in Switzerland and Vietnam by combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with students, school professionals, and experts. The goal is to develop evidence-based poli-cy guidelines to enhance prevention and response efforts in secondary schools, tailored to each country's context by applying a collaborative approach for evidence-based policy de-velopment in Switzerland and Vietnam. Keywords: Child maltreatment, school, collaborative approach, Vietnam, Switzerland.