Child abuse and neglect in Australia

Issue

The emerging problems of dysfunctional families, domestic violence and/or consequent neglect and abuse of children need to be addressed. Parents need support services aimed at helping them to cope well with their responsibilities as carers of their children. The approach must be two-pronged, integrated, focussing on both child and parent(s), both of whom have legitimate needs and rights.

There is extensive public concern about child neglect and abuse cases, and problems with child protection load and management in both the indigenous and general population (in NSW and Queensland in particular but not exclusively) throughout Australia. Experts in the field have concluded that more attention needs to be given to early intervention in order to support families with babies and young children, rather than waiting for serious dysfunction to develop and then taking draconian measures through the various State child protection notification systems.

Significant changes in gender relations, with an emphasis on gender equity within families, have fuelled changes in expectations about relationships, the core of the family unit. However, an international review of empirical research on Transition to Parenthood demonstrates that many women struggle with issues related to identity on becoming a first time mother. Furthermore a substantial proportion of couples have been unable to achieve an equal, or egalitarian arrangement after the birth of their first child, even though they had set out to do so. There is also evidence of an increase in domestic violence when a woman becomes pregnant.

READ FULL PAPER