I think one obstacle to having this conversation is that, as a society, we think that intervention is called for when a child is being abused.

I think this is correct. I personally find the current social model under which children are the chattel-slaves (i.e. the property) of their parents unless and until such time as the parents do something truly egregious*, or until the child turns 18, to be rather revolting.

*That should really read "do something truly egregious, or try to extract economic value".