Commentary on Canadian child maltreatment data.

The issue of how to best collect child maltreatment data is a key concern within the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). We argue that maltreatment data can be collected from children, adolescents, and parents with approaches that are accurate, methodologically robust, legal, and ethical. It has been done in other countries. First, we clarify ongoing child maltreatment data collection by the Canadian government and address PHAC initiatives to include child maltreatment questions in national contemporaneous surveys. Second, we identify examples of population-based studies with child, adolescent, and parent respondents. Third, we highlight some measurement considerations. Fourth, we address ethical considerations in conducting this type of research.