Majone Steketee

1 Introduction Growing up in a safe environment is crucial for the healthy development of children (e.g., Norman et al. 2012; Trocmé et al. 2009). In accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), child protection services (CPSs) can intervene in a family when a child's safety is threatened.

1. Introduction Epidemiological research shows that the children of parents with a mental disorder are at serious risk of developing mental disorders themselves [1,2]. For infants and young children, this risk is significantly higher because early childhood is a critically vulnerable period for brain development and a period of high sensitivity to stress.

1 INTRODUCTION According to Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC; United Nations, 1989), every child has the right to be protected from unsafe rearing environments, including child abuse and neglect (CAN). A safe rearing environment is crucial for healthy child development (e.g., Norman et al., 2012). Governments are endowed with the responsibility to provide appropriate protective measures, usually in the form of Child Protection Services (CPS).