Child Protection in Australia

1. Child Protection in Australia Dr Leah Bromfield and Ms Prue Holzer National Child Protection Clearinghouse

2. 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

3. What does a ‘Clearinghouse’ do? • The Clearinghouse provides a range of services to policy makers, practitioners, researchers and the community: • publications • information & advisory service • “help-desk” (part of information and advisory service) • Library (part of information and advisory service) • childprotect email discussion list • a webpage providing useful information and resources • The Clearinghouse also undertakes new research

4. Publications • Publications include • Child Abuse Prevention Issues • Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter • NCPC Research Brief • Resource sheets • Conference and workshop presentations • Research reports and journal articles • New publications coming in 2006: Policy Brief & Practice Brief • Issues papers and newsletters are also available in hard copy and are delivered quarterly • To join the Clearinghouse mailing list go to: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/nchmailform.html

5. Publications • Publications • focus on providing clear information • describing what the research tells us • identifying the implications for the sector • accessible language • brief • All Clearinghouse publications are free and can be downloaded from our website, go to: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs.html

6. Information & Advisory Service • Attend and present at conferences • Provide presentations for the purposes of promotion or education • Representation on key external committees (e.g., reference groups, editorial boards, working groups) • Participate in or resource key forums and events

7. “Helpdesk” • Part of the information and advisory service • For information about research evidence in areas of child abuse prevention, child protection, and out-of-home care, for example: • Statistics on child abuse and neglect • Requirements for police checks • Effects of abuse and neglect on children • Any person from anywhere in Australia can contact the helpdesk via phone or email • 03 9214 7888 • ncpc@aifs.gov.au

8. tion Library services • Part of the information and advisory service • Extensive collection of materials related to child abuse prevention, child protection and out-of-home care • Australian and key international resources • Journals, books, articles, reports, etc. • Catalogue searchable online http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/info.html • Librarian conducts literature searches on request 03 9214 7888 or ncpc@aifs.gov.au • Staff from NGOs can become a member (free) • Materials also available through inter-library loan

9. Childprotect • childprotect an email discussion list promoting • exchange of information and ideas • sharing of resources • for professionals working in the field of child abuse prevention and child protection and other interested persons • moderated by the Clearinghouse • To join go to http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/dlist.html

10. NCPC Website • Information and resources for policy makers, practitioners, researchers and the community, including: • NCPC Publications • Resources (e.g. bibliographies, AIFS library catalogue) • NCPC Research • Getting help (e.g. reporting maltreatment, police checks, government departments, helplines, internet) • Conferences • Links to other websites http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/nch_menu.html

11. NCPC Research • The Clearinghouse also undertakes new research • Commissioned or self-initiated • Examples include: • profiling promising practice in recruiting and supporting Indigenous carers • impact of neighbourhood on children's outcomes • identify commonalities and differences across Australian jurisdictions in the provision of child protection services and associated areas • For more information go to: http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/research/menu.html

12. Myths about child abuse & neglect • Complete ‘Myths and realities’ exercise (handout) • First instinct (don’t spend too much time on each item) • For each item select either: • “myth”, “reality” or “not sure” • Source: www.stopchildabuse.com.au

13. Myths & realities • 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 don’t 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

14. Myths & realities 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

15. Myths & realities • 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 doesn’t happen in well educated families MYTH MYTH REALITY REALITY MYTH

16. What is Child Maltreatment? • Umbrella term for various forms of ill-treatment of children by caregivers • Includes acts of commission (abuse) and omission (neglect) • Types of abuse and neglect • Physical abuse • Sexual abuse • Neglect • Emotional or psychological abuse • Witnessing family violence • Continuum from low to high severity • Different types frequently co-occur • Typically not a single incident - pattern of poor parenting

17. Physical Abuse • Physically abusive behaviour refers to any non-accidental physically aggressive act towards a child • May be intentional or may be the inadvertent result of physical punishment • Physically abusive behaviours include: shoving, hitting, slapping, shaking, throwing, punching, biting, burning, and kicking

18. 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 - parents, siblings and other family members • Includes a wide range of sexual activities: fondling genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal and/or anal penetration, penetration by a finger, penis or other object, voyeurism and exhibitionism, and exploitation through pornography or prostitution

19. Neglect • Failure (usually by a parent) to provide a level of care that meets a child’s needs • Physical neglectful behaviours include failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, supervision, hygiene or medical attention

20. Psychological maltreatment • Commonly known as “emotional abuse” • Includes acts of commission and omission • Emotionally abusive or neglectful behaviour refers to inappropriate verbal or symbolic acts and a failure to provide adequate non-physical nurture or emotional availability • A pattern of abuse, it is not a single incident • Includes rejecting, ignoring, isolating, terrorising, corrupting, verbal abuse and belittlement

21. Witnessing family violence • Previously included in psychological maltreatment, however there is growing support for it being treated as a separate type of maltreatment • Witnessing family violence refers to a child being present (hearing or seeing) • while a parent or sibling is subjected to physical abuse, sexual abuse or psychological maltreatment, or • is visually exposed to the damage caused to persons or property by a family member’s violent behaviour

22. 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

23. 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 (e.g., teachers, sports coaches & strangers) Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2002

24. 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

25. 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

26. “…Child abuse will only stop when children like me become important to everyone…” (Josh, 9 years) Source: Australian Childhood Foundation. (2004). Play your part.

27. 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 • Don’t 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.

28. 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.

29. What can you do in your community? • Raise awareness about child abuse and neglect by talking about the problem, myths & realities • 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.

30. 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 • Australian Council for Children and Youth Organisations http://www.accyo.org.au/index_flash.htm

31. The role of child protection

32. National comparison of child protection systems • Access report from: www.aifs.gov.au/nch/issues/issues22.html • Scope • Who is responsible? • Who is mandated to notify concerns? • What concerns must be notified?

33. National comparison of child protection systems • Scope cont. • On what grounds can statutory authorities intervene? • How do child protection services respond? • Intake procedures • Assessment • Investigation • Case management

34. Statutory child protection departments

35. Findings • There were differences in the procedures and legislation guiding who is mandated to report alleged maltreatment and the provision of services • However, the core activities being undertaken by child protection practitioners were more similar than different • This means, families receive essentially the same types of services regardless of where they live in Australia

36. Findings • The greatest area of difference was in the initial intake phase: the phase from which most statutory child protection data are drawn • There was also a great deal of difference in the response provided to those cases that did not meet the threshold for statutory child protection intervention

37. VIC Mandatory Reporting

38. What happens when a report is made? 1. Notification: report or allegation made to CP 2. Assessment • Did abusive or neglectful behaviour (allegedly) occur? • Did it, or is it likely to, cause significant harm? • Does the state need to intervene to keep the child safe? • Is the child in immediate danger? 3. Investigation • Substantiation: a notification that is found on the balance of probabilities to be true 4. Case management to keep child safe

39. UN Convention on Rights of Child (CROC) • Australia is a signatory to the CROC • Articles in CROC relate to how CP responds • In all actions concerning children, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration (article 3) • A child shall not be separated from his or her parents against their will, except when competent authorities subject to judicial review determine, in accordance with applicable law and procedures, that such separation is necessary for the best interests of the child. Such determination may be necessary in a particular case such as one involving abuse or neglect of the child by the parents … (article 9) • Means that the first preference for CP is to support the parents to enable the child to remain safely with their family

40. National Child Protection Clearinghouse Australian Institute of Family Studies 300 Queen Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Australia (03) 9214 7888 www.aifs.gov.au/nch ncpc@aifs.gov.au