Welcome to the APA Division 37 Section on Child Maltreatment Website. The Section on Child Maltreatment is the only permanent organization within the APA to specifically address issues related to child maltreatment policy, practice, and research. Founded in 1994, the Section on Child Maltreatment’s mission is to support and promote scientific inquiry, training, professional practice, and advocacy in child maltreatment. 

I am honored to serve as the Section’s President in 2025 and 2026 and to work alongside my colleagues within the Division and Section to advance our mission. We welcome scholars, practitioners, and child advocates who work in research labs, clinical practices, the classroom, and in law and policy settings – toward the common goal of improving the lives of children affected by maltreatment.  

I am delighted to announce that I am collaborating with Section President, Jodi Quas, on a shared Presidential theme centered around DIGITAL YOUTH, SAFETY, AND CHILD WELFARE. By aligning with the Division on this crucial topic, we aim to contribute to the ongoing public, scientific, and legislative discussions regarding the impact of social media and digital technologies. Our goal is to keep our Section and Division at the forefront of research, practice, and policy concerning children, youth, and families. We want to move beyond the common media narrative that focuses solely on the potential harms of social media, offering a broader perspective that incorporates solid scientific evidence. This will allow us to explore both the concerns and possible benefits that digital technologies can bring to youth, parents, and families. Within this theme, we have highlighted several areas of interest, including but not limited to: (1) online safety and privacy for youth (and their families), (2) the relationship between digital tools and adolescent mental health, (3) the rise of online exploitation and the opportunities for prevention and intervention, and (4) the role of digital communication in fostering connections with youth. Please look for upcoming programming at APA related to these topics. Additionally, if you have insights, expertise, or interest in these areas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to either me or Jodi Quas. We greatly value input from our Section members and encourage participation in ongoing conversations about how digital technologies affect the lives of children, youth, and families, especially as they relate to child protection, safety, and welfare.

Please join and become involved in the Section on Child Maltreatment! I am eager to connect and engage you with section activities in ways that best align with your goals and interests. Please contact me with questions about section involvement. Here are some of the ways you can engage with the Section on Child Maltreatment: 

• Join the section (First year is free for students).
• Volunteer or nominate yourself or a trusted colleague to serve as an office on the Executive Board or Student Board.
• Serve as a liaison with other sections/divisions. 
• Participate in early career professionals networking activities.
• Participate in listserv discussions.
• Submit an article sharing your research or practice or advocacy insights in the Newsletter.
• Nominate a colleague or student for one of our Awards recognizing excellence in research and practice.
• Attend section activities at APA convention. 
• Join a Task Force on Child Maltreatment.  

Joining the Section on Child Maltreatment in and of itself is a contribution to science-based child maltreatment advocacy! I encourage you to join the Section on Child Maltreatment and help in our collective efforts to advocate for the most vulnerable of youth -- those impacted by child maltreatment.  

Sincerely,

Kristin Valentino, PhD

2025–26 president, Div. 37 (Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice) Section on Child Maltreatment