Summary

  • It should be noted that this report, while containing considerable detail on the number and nature of abuse and neglect cases, does not include information  about the level of seriousness of cases nor the type and extent of support services provided. These data would  provide a more detailed and accurate picture of child abuse and neglect in Australia.
  • State and Territory welfare departments received 59,122 reports of child abuse and neglect during 1992-93-an increase of 10.9% over 1991-92. Of these, the assessment of 55,895 cases was finalised.
  • Of the 55,895 cases of child abuse and neglect finalised during  the year, 25,630 cases were substantiated (46% of finalised cases). A further 2,543 cases (5%), were not substantiated but the child was assessed as being at risk. There were 25,483 cases (46%) in which no abuse or neglect was found, and a further 2,239 cases (4%) where no action was possible.
  • The 25,630 cases of child abuse and neglect substantiated during 1992-93 involved 22,379 children and represents an increase of 19.9% from 1991-92. This increase has been influenced  by a change in the reporting  procedures in Victoria.
  • Children  of both sexes were represented almost equally in substantiated cases of neglect, physical abuse and emotional abuse, while females were the victims in the majority (77%) of sexual abuse cases.
  • The largest numbers of children in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect were those aged 13 and 14 years, (1,628 and 1,734 respectively)-a rate of 6.6 and 7.0 children per 1,000 respectively.
  • A natural parent was believed responsible in 69% of substantiated cases, a step-parent in 6% and a de facto parent in 5%. Friends and neighbours were believed responsible for 7% of cases.
  • The highest number  of cases of child abuse and neglect were reported  by friends and neighbours (17% of finalised cases), parents (15%), school personnel (15%) and police (15%).
  • Reports of abuse and neglect from medical workers other than a medical practitioner  had the highest rate of substantiation (64%), followed by cases reported  by the subject child (60%), the police (59%) and department officers (58%). Reports from anonymous persons (18%), and friends and neighbours (30%), showed the lowest rate of substantiation.
  • Nine per cent of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, a much higher·.proportion than they represent in the population (less than 2%). The type of substantiated cases for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children differed significantly from the national pattern, with neglect cases representing a much higher proportion (40%) of total substantiations than for all children  (23%), and sexual abuse cases represented a much lower proportion (14%) of substantiated cases than for all children (23%).
  • In twenty-six per cent of substantiated cases of physical abuse in New South Wales bruising  was the major injury. In emotional abuse cases the highest percentage of substantiated cases (26%) resulted from a parent's alcohol or drug abuse, while in a further  23% of cases the parent's emotional state threatened  the child. In 43% of substantiated sexual abuse cases the primary  abuse was sexual fondling. Forty-six per cent of substantiated neglect cases resulted from the child being left without adequate supervision.