Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect Everyone

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Preventing Child Abuse and NeglectEveryones
Responsibility

• Dr Leah Bromfield
• National Child Protection Clearinghouse

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They dont want to hear the truth because the
truth is so much harder to understand (Fiona, 12
years)
Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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National Child Protection Clearinghouse

• A specialist information, advisory and research
  unit focused on the prevention of child abuse and
  neglect.
• Based at the Australian Institute of Family
  Studies
• Funded by the Australian Government Department of
  Families, Community Services and Indigenous
  Affairs

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What does a Clearinghouse do?

• The Clearinghouse provides a range of services to
  policy makers, practitioners and the community
• a help-desk information advisory service
• childprotect an email discussion list for
  information sharing moderated by the
  Clearinghouse
• publications summarising the evidence-base in
  accessible language (e.g. Fact Sheets, Research,
  Policy and Practice Briefs, Issues Papers and
  Newsletters)
• a webpage providing useful information and
  resources
• The Clearinghouse also undertakes new research

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National Child Protection Week

• September 3-9 2006
• Raising awareness about child abuse and neglect

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Myths about child abuse neglect
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• Children are more likely to be abused by people
  they know than strangers
• The number of children being abused and neglected
  is increasing
• If children dont witness domestic violence they
  are not affected by it
• Child abuse can lead to depression, drug abuse
  and homelessness in later life

REALITY
REALITY
MYTH
REALITY
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MYTH

• Boys are rarely victims of sexual abuse
• Disabled children are more likely to become
  victims of abuse than non-disabled children
• Teenagers are sometimes to blame for their abuse
• Consensual sex between a 14 year old girl and an
  adult is not abuse
• Children make up stories about abuse
• Children who disclose about their abuse and later
  retract their stories were lying about the abuse

REALITY
MYTH
MYTH
MYTH
MYTH
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• Reporting to the state child protection
  authorities can cause more harm than the abuse
  itself
• If a child is reported to the state child
  protection authorities they will always be taken
  away from their family
• It is not always obvious that a child is being
  abused
• If abuse happened once it is likely to happen
  again
• Child abuse doesnt happen in well educated
  families

MYTH
MYTH
REALITY
REALITY
MYTH
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What is abuse and neglect?

• Physical abuse any non-accidental physically
  aggressive act towards a child
• Neglect Failure (usually by a parent) to provide
  a level of care that meets a childs basic needs
• Sexual abuse the use of a minor - female and
  male - for sexual gratification by an adult, or
  an adolescent or older child (most commonly
  perpetrated by someone known to the child)
• Psychological maltreatment a pattern of
  behaviour, rather than a single incident.
  Includes rejecting, ignoring, isolating,
  terrorising, corrupting, verbal abuse and
  belittlement

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How big is the problem?

• 252,831 national reports to child protection
• 46,154 reports substantiated as confirmed
  incidents of abuse or neglect
• What is the most common type of maltreatment?
• neglect, emotional, physical, sexual
• 22 130 living in out-of-home care
• These figures are an inaccurate reflection of the
  true extent of child maltreatment

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2006
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Who maltreats children?

• National Figures
• 74 Natural Parent
• 10 Step-parent or de facto
• 7 Other relative or sibling
• 5 Friend or neighbour
• 4 Others (including strangers)

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2002
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Causes of child abuse neglect

• No one cause, factors commonly associated with
  maltreatment include
• Alcohol and drug use
• Mental health problems
• Family violence
• Poor parenting skills
• Early child bearing
• Large families
• Children with health, disability or behavioural
  problems
• Adults with histories of being abused or
  neglected
• Poverty

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Consequences of abuse neglect

• Host of health and social problems, such as
• Physical health problems
• Learning problems
• Trauma and psychological problems
• Early school leaving
• Youth suicide
• Crime
• Homelessness
• Mental illness
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Unemployment

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What can you do for children?

• Show children they are important and that you
  care how they feel
• Try to understand the seriousness and
  consequences of child abuse and neglect
• Dont keep it to yourself do something if you
  are worried about a child
• Child Protection Crisis Service 131 278
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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What can you do for parents?

• Be there to listen. The chance for a parent to
  talk can be very effective in relieving pressure
• Let parents know that you understand how
  challenging parenting can be
• All parents need support at some time
• Encourage parents to seek additional support when
  they need it
• Parentline 13 22 89

Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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What can you do in your community?

• Raise awareness about child abuse and neglect by
  talking about the problem, myths realities
• Help community groups, clubs, or organisations to
  distribute resources throughout the community
• Support local efforts to help families (e.g.
  fundraising for local charity, food or clothing
  drive)

Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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What can you do in your community cont.

• Ensure organisations and clubs in your local
  community that have contact with children have
• policies regarding appropriate screening
  processes
• policies in place to ensure the organisation is
  child safe

Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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More information and resources

• Australian Childhood Foundation
• www.stopchildabuse.com.au
• National Association for the Prevention of Child
  Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
• www.napcan.org.au
• National Child Protection Clearinghouse
• www.aifs.gov.au/nch

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• Child abuse will only stop when children like
  me become important to everyone
• (Josh, 9 years)

Source Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004).
Play your part.
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National Child Protection Clearinghouse

• Australian Institute of Family Studies
• 300 Queen Street Melbourne
• Victoria 3000 Australia
• [phone]
• www.aifs.gov.au/nch
• ncpc_at_aifs.gov.au