First Minister Jack McConnell this week unveiled the country's Children's Charter and a framework of standards for child protection.
But Maggie Mellon, head of public policy for children's charity NCH Scotland, said: "The issue is resources if the crisis is going to be addressed."
Ruth Stark, professional officer for the British Association of Social Workers in Scotland, said: "Until the executive has got to grips with understanding what social workers contribute towards the prevention of child abuse and understand they need social workers to carry out this work, they can't expect us to pick up the pieces."
Charities did, however, welcome the executive's announcement of a new 24-hour national child protection helpline, to be launched next year.
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