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An Update on Child Abuse in
Australia
3
December 2007
For
the last six years running, every national indicator of child abuse has
increased.
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National Indicator
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2002/03
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2005/06
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Increase
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Child
Abuse Notifications
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137,938
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266745
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93%
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Substantiated
Abuse Cases
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30,473
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55,921
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84%
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Children
on Care and Protection Orders
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20,557
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27,188
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32%
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Children
in Out of Home Care
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18,880
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25,454
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35%
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Aboriginal
and Torres Strait islanders are over represented in all of the above
categories by 5 to 7 times.
Child
abuse has far reaching consequences for everyone in the community:
- An
average of 30% of people who have been abused and neglected will
repeat these behaviours with their own children creating a cycle of
abuse.
- The
direct cost of child abuse and neglect is 4.93 billion dollars per
year.
- Apart
from the immediate effects, abused children are at greater risk of
suffering emotional and behavioural problems, poor school performance
and further abuse.
- Long-term
studies of low achievers, runaways, drug abusers, prostitutes and
incarcerated individuals show abuse as a consistent and pervasive
element in their backgrounds. Low self-esteem and poor self-concept
are ever-present.[2]
- Women
who have been sexually abused are more likely to harm themselves and
suffer panic disorders for the rest of their lives. Abuse is also an
important risk factor for depression. [3]
NSW
as a Case Study
- 114
DoCS reported children died in 2006.
- One
in every 15 children are reported to DoCS.
- One
in every 7 families are reported.
- Over
the last 5 years, reports to the department have risen by 50%.[4]
What
We Do
The
Child Abuse Prevention Service provides 24 hour national telephone support
information and referral for community members concerned about child
safety. We take a preventative approach to child abuse by speaking with
parents and carers about parenting in today’s society.
Toll
Free 24 Hours – 1800 688 009
MEDIA RELEASE
6 November 2007
The
recent tragic death of 2 year old Dean Shillingsworth has again raised the
issue of child abuse in the community. The boy’s body was found in a
suitcase in a pond in south western
Sydney
after allegedly being shaken to death by his mother.
The family were known to The Department of Community Services
(DoCS). Overwhelming public response to Dean’s death clearly
demonstrates the shock felt by the community over abuse of children, and
the capacity of protective services to protect children. Unfortunately
though, Dean’s history of abuse and death are not isolated incidents.
Since Child Protection legislation was introduced in 1998, reports to The
Department of Community Services (DoCS) have dramatically increased.
Figures released by the Ombudsman’s annual report show that 114 children
died last year from families who had been subject to DoCS investigations.
The number of children reported to Docs has increased by 50% over the last
5 years resulting in one in every 15 children and one in 7 families
reported.
CAPS believes that the rise in reports reflects greater public awareness
of child abuse and greater willingness in the community to report children
thought to be at risk. Under child protection legislation mandatory
reporting designated people such as doctors and teachers as compulsory
reporters of child abuse. These measures are designed to ensure that
children at risk are identified and help is provided. Over the past four
years 75% of reports have been made by mandatory reporters.
It
is easy to highlight the failings of DoCS when a child dies, but what
often goes unnoticed is the amount of work that DoCS and other agencies do
to prevent abuse and support families in crisis. DoCS is the only
investigative body for child prevention issues in NSW. Child abuse is
everyone’s business and it is our belief that it takes a community to
raise a child. It is critical that we all take responsibility for children
and continue to report incidents and abuse to DoCS to ensure that other
children like Dean do not fall through the cracks. Through speaking to
callers and providing support, information and referrals, CAPS provides an
essential service by continuing to raise awareness about this issue.
MEDIA RELEASE
18th January 2006
The Australian
Institute of health and Welfare has released its Child Protection
Australia Report which shows that every national indicator of child
abuse has increased every year for the last six years running
– child abuse notifications, substantiated abuse cases, children on care
and protection orders, and the number of children in out of care.
Indigenous children continue to be significantly over represented in every
one.
An Australian
child was harmed, or found likely to be harmed, every 11 minutes in
2004-2005. Nearly double as often as in 1999-2000.
Further the complexity of the problems and circumstances experienced by
children, such as family violence, mental health and social isolation are
worsening. The lifelong and inter-generational consequences make this Australia's
most serious problem
The Child Abuse Prevention Service is a National telephone crisis line and
is staffed by a group of volunteer support workers. These are or ordinary
people trained for the extraordinary role of talking to those affected by
child abuse in its many forms.
C.A.P.S. volunteers - who come from across Sydney including in the local
area - draw on their own life skills as well as the knowledge gained in
their C.A.P.S. training to help those in need.
“A large part of our job as
telephone support workers is just to listen to our callers. For many
callers, just being heard during difficult times can make a big
difference. But of course, we also provide advice - perhaps on parenting
skills, or access to further community services as required - to help
resolve some of their pressures."
“We are able to be of some assistance to the vast majority of our
callers. And there’s tremendous camaraderie among the C.A.P.S. support
workers, too, so we’re always able to maintain an atmosphere of hope,”
comments Lorraine.
To become a C.A.P.S. telephone support worker, volunteers participate in a
training course,1 day a week for 9 weeks, that provides an
introduction to the various types of child abuse. Drawing on its 30-year
history in helping prevent child abuse, C.A.P.S. also provides a lists of
resources that support workers can offer callers.
“We also do follow up calls wherever possible, as well, to help callers
truly make a new start,” adds Lorraine.
“Being a volunteer takes only a few hours out of my week - but just
being there for callers can help them make the changes that make all the
difference to a child’s life. I wouldn’t give it up for quids,” she
says, smiling.
Interested to train as a C.A.P.S. telephone support worker? The next
training program will be held in Ashfield, 1 day a week for 9 weeks, commencing
1st May to 26th June 2007.
For further information please contact Jo or Brooke at C.A.P.S. on 9716
8000 or email mail@childabuseprevention.com.au
or caps@exemail.com.au
All
welcome to apply especially retirees.
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