(AUSTRALIA)
The Catholic Leader [Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia]
April 3, 2023
By Mark Bowling
A landmark study has found nearly two thirds of Australians aged over 16 have reported experiencing childhood maltreatment – abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence.
The five-year study, Australia’s first national prevalence study of all forms of child abuse and neglect was conducted by a team of researchers, including key spokesperson, Professor Daryl Higgins, the director of the Australian Catholic University’s Institute of Child Protection Studies.
Of the 8503 respondents aged 16 or older, 62 per cent indicated experiences of maltreatment in childhood.
Importantly for researchers the study shows that most of those who reported experiencing maltreatment experienced multiple types, and witnessing domestic violence was the most common.
Researchers found the following prevalence rates of individual types of child maltreatment: neglect – 8.9 per cent; sexual abuse – 28.5 per cent; emotional abuse – 30.9 per cent; physical abuse – 32.0 per cent; and exposure to domestic violence – 39.6 per cent.
“We need to focus on the safety and wellbeing of children who are being exposed in enormously high levels to the harms of exposure to domestic violence.
“Exposure to domestic violence goes hand in hand with other types of child abuse and neglect,” Professor Higgins said.
“If a child has had exposure to domestic violence, the next question has to be, ‘What else have you experienced?’”
The research showed girls were far more likely than boys to experience maltreatment, especially sexual abuse and neglect.
It also showed parental separation, family mental illness, family substance abuse problems, and family economic hardship doubled the risk of multi-type maltreatment.
Experiencing more than one type of child abuse and neglect was associated with higher rates of mental health disorders and health risk behaviours, particularly cannabis dependence, self-harm, and suicide attempts.
The study found people who reported experiencing child maltreatment were far more likely to have poorer lifelong health outcomes than those who had not.
Professor Higgins, a registered psychologist, said the findings demanded immediate attention to better safeguard children and reduce these poor health outcomes across life.
“We now have the data to prove that maltreatment is not only occurring at alarming rates, but that children are suffering multiple types of maltreatment, and we must do everything in our power to stop this harm,” he said.
“If we want to improve the physical and mental health of Australians, we need to prevent all types of maltreatment and coordinate early interventions and supports to reduce the risk of multiple types.
“Children are growing up in environments that are less than ideal. We know evidence-based parental programs and support can not only increase the capability of parents but can reduce the risk of maltreatment of children.”
The full report can be found here.