Abstract
Already in the distant past, child mistreatment-behavior that we currently identify as abuse and/or neglect, has probably accompanied the lives of many children. This article provides a basic overview of the historical context of the term "CAN syndrome", including the broader societal and professional aspects.
The first systematic or comprehensive references to the interest of helping professions in the issue of abused and neglected children can be found only in the 19th century. Subsequently, the issue of child maltreatment was ignored or rather misunderstood in its entirety by the professional community for decades.
It is only since the mid-1960s that abuse and/ or neglect has become one of the main topics in many disciplines (paediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, social work, social policy), which has led to the introduction of a number of terms and definitions, but these always cover only selected aspects of child maltreatment that fall within the field. The syndrome of the abused, abused and neglected child, generally referred to in Anglo-Saxon literature as Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN), has been adopted into Czech terminology.
The CAN syndrome consists of a set of adverse symptoms in various areas of the child's condition and development, as well as his/her position in society and in the family. Its causes, mechanisms, and nature in terms of severity and impact on the life of the child and his/her environment, are quite diverse.
Although the terminology, society's and professionals' views on child maltreatment have gradually changed and evolved, we are still not at the finish line. Even today, child protection is not a given everywhere.
Child abuse, abuse and neglect have been and continue to be viewed in different ways. The socio-cultural concept and legal definition of child protection continues to evolve.
However, up to 1 billion children aged 2-17 years still experience physical, sexual or psychological violence or neglect worldwide each year. We believe that for the field of psychiatry and psychology, this topic is a very actual topic today.