Child abuse in Australia

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Nationally, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were 7 times more likely to be the subject of *substantiated reports than non-Aboriginal children
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* Substantiations of notifications occur when an investigation has concluded and there is reasonable cause to believe that the child had been, was being, or was likely to be, abused, neglected or otherwise harmed.

https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/child-abuse-and-neglect-statistics
 

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Some interesting stuff at https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/who-abuses-children

The whole area seems to be pretty grey - definitions of what is abuse, the different kinds of abuse, who is held responsible etc aren't all that clear-cut. And most of the studies in this area seem to be US-based. But here are some basic stats:


Physical abuse
Research suggests that both mothers and fathers may physically abuse children. Findings from the ABS Personal Safety Survey (2005) indicated that of participants who had experienced physical abuse before the age of 15, 55.6% experienced abuse from their father/stepfather and 25.9% experienced abuse from their mother/stepmother. A further 13.7% experienced abuse from another known person and the remainder were family friends, other relatives, or strangers (ABS, 2005).

A British retrospective prevalence study of 2,869 young adults aged 18-24 (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005) found that mothers were more likely than fathers to be responsible for physical abuse (49% of incidents compared to 40%). However, part of the difference may be explained by the greater time children spend with their mothers than fathers. Violence was also reported to be perpetrated by stepmothers (3%) or stepfathers (5%), grandparents (3%) and other relatives (1%) (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005).

Further research shows that when taking issues of severity into consideration, fathers or father surrogates are responsible for more severe physical abuse and fatalities than female perpetrators (US Department of Health and Human Services [US DHHS], 2005). Other researchers such as Daly and Wilson (1999) have argued that biological parents are less likely than step-parents to physically abuse their biological offspring due to their greater investment in the genetic continuity of their family.

Neglect
Evidence suggests that mothers are more likely than fathers to be held responsible for child neglect. In a large representative study that examined the characteristics of perpetrators in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States, neglect was the main type of abuse in 66% of cases involving a female caregiver, compared to 36% of cases involving a male caregiver (US DHHS, 2005). This finding is consistent with the fact that mothers tend to be the primary caregiver and are usually held accountable for ensuring the safety of children even in two-parent families. In light of societal views on gender roles, it has been argued that this may constitute unreasonable “mother blaming” (Allan, 2004; Jackson & Mannix, 2004).

Sexual abuse
Research focusing on perpetrators of child sexual abuse is extensive compared to other forms of abuse. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by males (ABS, 2005; McCloskey & Raphael, 2005; Peter, 2009).

Contrary to other types of abuse, research suggests that a far greater number of child sexual abuse offences are perpetrated by adults who are not in a caregiver role (ABS, 2005; US DHHS, 2005).

Data from the US National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) showed that males made up 90% of adult child sexual assault perpetrators, while 3.9% of perpetrators were female, with a further 6% classified as “unknown gender” (McCloskey & Raphael, 2005). In a study comparing male and female perpetrated child sexual abuse using data from the 1998 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (Peter, 2009), 10.7% of child sexual abuse incidents were found to be perpetrated by females. McCloskey and Raphael (2005) argued that female perpetrators of child sexual abuse could be much higher as many cases go under-reported.

Emotional abuse
From the limited research that is available, emotional child abuse mainly comes from parents/caregivers and can come from both mothers and fathers. In the United States 4th National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, 73% of all incidences of child emotional abuse were from a biological parent, 20% from a non-biological parent, and 7% from an other person (Sedlak et al., 2010). Of these incidences of emotional abuse, 60% were perpetrated by males and 50% by females (these figures exceed 100% as in some instances both males and females were involved in emotional abuse) (Sedlak et al., 2010).

Fatal child abuse
Tragically a small but significant number of children die as a result of child abuse and neglect. These children are either directly killed by acts of violence or die from chronic neglect and abuse over time (Asmussen, 2010). Evidence suggests that younger children are more likely to be fatally assaulted by parents and/or other caregivers, whereas teenagers are most often killed by their peers or other adults (Asmussen, 2010). Yampolskaya, Greenbaum, and Berson (2009), in a study examining 126 profiles of perpetrators of fatal assault in United States, found that males were three times more likely to fatally assault their children. The study also found that non-biological parents were 17 times more likely to commit a fatal assault toward a child than biological parents (Yampolskaya et al., 2009).

Most researchers who have used police homicide records regarding fatal child abuse suggest that the majority of perpetrators are males (Lyman et al., 2003). However, many deaths due to child abuse and neglect may not meet the criminal definition of homicide, particularly deaths due to neglect (Finkelhor, 1997; Lawrence & Irvine, 2004).
 
Illinois Nazi said:
Some interesting stuff at https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/who-abuses-children

The whole area seems to be pretty grey - definitions of what is abuse, the different kinds of abuse, who is held responsible etc aren't all that clear-cut. And most of the studies in this area seem to be US-based. But here are some basic stats:


Physical abuse
Research suggests that both mothers and fathers may physically abuse children. Findings from the ABS Personal Safety Survey (2005) indicated that of participants who had experienced physical abuse before the age of 15, 55.6% experienced abuse from their father/stepfather and 25.9% experienced abuse from their mother/stepmother. A further 13.7% experienced abuse from another known person and the remainder were family friends, other relatives, or strangers (ABS, 2005).

A British retrospective prevalence study of 2,869 young adults aged 18-24 (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005) found that mothers were more likely than fathers to be responsible for physical abuse (49% of incidents compared to 40%). However, part of the difference may be explained by the greater time children spend with their mothers than fathers. Violence was also reported to be perpetrated by stepmothers (3%) or stepfathers (5%), grandparents (3%) and other relatives (1%) (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005).

Further research shows that when taking issues of severity into consideration, fathers or father surrogates are responsible for more severe physical abuse and fatalities than female perpetrators (US Department of Health and Human Services [US DHHS], 2005). Other researchers such as Daly and Wilson (1999) have argued that biological parents are less likely than step-parents to physically abuse their biological offspring due to their greater investment in the genetic continuity of their family.

Neglect
Evidence suggests that mothers are more likely than fathers to be held responsible for child neglect. In a large representative study that examined the characteristics of perpetrators in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States, neglect was the main type of abuse in 66% of cases involving a female caregiver, compared to 36% of cases involving a male caregiver (US DHHS, 2005). This finding is consistent with the fact that mothers tend to be the primary caregiver and are usually held accountable for ensuring the safety of children even in two-parent families. In light of societal views on gender roles, it has been argued that this may constitute unreasonable “mother blaming” (Allan, 2004; Jackson & Mannix, 2004).

Sexual abuse
Research focusing on perpetrators of child sexual abuse is extensive compared to other forms of abuse. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by males (ABS, 2005; McCloskey & Raphael, 2005; Peter, 2009).

Contrary to other types of abuse, research suggests that a far greater number of child sexual abuse offences are perpetrated by adults who are not in a caregiver role (ABS, 2005; US DHHS, 2005).

Data from the US National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) showed that males made up 90% of adult child sexual assault perpetrators, while 3.9% of perpetrators were female, with a further 6% classified as “unknown gender” (McCloskey & Raphael, 2005). In a study comparing male and female perpetrated child sexual abuse using data from the 1998 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (Peter, 2009), 10.7% of child sexual abuse incidents were found to be perpetrated by females. McCloskey and Raphael (2005) argued that female perpetrators of child sexual abuse could be much higher as many cases go under-reported.

Emotional abuse
From the limited research that is available, emotional child abuse mainly comes from parents/caregivers and can come from both mothers and fathers. In the United States 4th National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, 73% of all incidences of child emotional abuse were from a biological parent, 20% from a non-biological parent, and 7% from an other person (Sedlak et al., 2010). Of these incidences of emotional abuse, 60% were perpetrated by males and 50% by females (these figures exceed 100% as in some instances both males and females were involved in emotional abuse) (Sedlak et al., 2010).

Fatal child abuse
Tragically a small but significant number of children die as a result of child abuse and neglect. These children are either directly killed by acts of violence or die from chronic neglect and abuse over time (Asmussen, 2010). Evidence suggests that younger children are more likely to be fatally assaulted by parents and/or other caregivers, whereas teenagers are most often killed by their peers or other adults (Asmussen, 2010). Yampolskaya, Greenbaum, and Berson (2009), in a study examining 126 profiles of perpetrators of fatal assault in United States, found that males were three times more likely to fatally assault their children. The study also found that non-biological parents were 17 times more likely to commit a fatal assault toward a child than biological parents (Yampolskaya et al., 2009).

Most researchers who have used police homicide records regarding fatal child abuse suggest that the majority of perpetrators are males (Lyman et al., 2003). However, many deaths due to child abuse and neglect may not meet the criminal definition of homicide, particularly deaths due to neglect (Finkelhor, 1997; Lawrence & Irvine, 2004).
Click to expand...
Great post, some really interesting statistics in there.
 
Kynge of Begrem said:
Great post, some really interesting statistics in there.
Click to expand...
If nothing else, it shows the complexity of the issue. There's a lot more to it than "women do it more", "men do it more" and "women only do it because of men abusing women".
 
Illinois Nazi said:
Some interesting stuff at https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/who-abuses-children

The whole area seems to be pretty grey - definitions of what is abuse, the different kinds of abuse, who is held responsible etc aren't all that clear-cut. And most of the studies in this area seem to be US-based. But here are some basic stats:


Physical abuse
Research suggests that both mothers and fathers may physically abuse children. Findings from the ABS Personal Safety Survey (2005) indicated that of participants who had experienced physical abuse before the age of 15, 55.6% experienced abuse from their father/stepfather and 25.9% experienced abuse from their mother/stepmother. A further 13.7% experienced abuse from another known person and the remainder were family friends, other relatives, or strangers (ABS, 2005).

A British retrospective prevalence study of 2,869 young adults aged 18-24 (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005) found that mothers were more likely than fathers to be responsible for physical abuse (49% of incidents compared to 40%). However, part of the difference may be explained by the greater time children spend with their mothers than fathers. Violence was also reported to be perpetrated by stepmothers (3%) or stepfathers (5%), grandparents (3%) and other relatives (1%) (May-Chahal & Cawson, 2005).

Further research shows that when taking issues of severity into consideration, fathers or father surrogates are responsible for more severe physical abuse and fatalities than female perpetrators (US Department of Health and Human Services [US DHHS], 2005). Other researchers such as Daly and Wilson (1999) have argued that biological parents are less likely than step-parents to physically abuse their biological offspring due to their greater investment in the genetic continuity of their family.

Neglect
Evidence suggests that mothers are more likely than fathers to be held responsible for child neglect. In a large representative study that examined the characteristics of perpetrators in substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect in the United States, neglect was the main type of abuse in 66% of cases involving a female caregiver, compared to 36% of cases involving a male caregiver (US DHHS, 2005). This finding is consistent with the fact that mothers tend to be the primary caregiver and are usually held accountable for ensuring the safety of children even in two-parent families. In light of societal views on gender roles, it has been argued that this may constitute unreasonable “mother blaming” (Allan, 2004; Jackson & Mannix, 2004).

Sexual abuse
Research focusing on perpetrators of child sexual abuse is extensive compared to other forms of abuse. Evidence overwhelmingly indicates that the majority of child sexual abuse is perpetrated by males (ABS, 2005; McCloskey & Raphael, 2005; Peter, 2009).

Contrary to other types of abuse, research suggests that a far greater number of child sexual abuse offences are perpetrated by adults who are not in a caregiver role (ABS, 2005; US DHHS, 2005).

Data from the US National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) showed that males made up 90% of adult child sexual assault perpetrators, while 3.9% of perpetrators were female, with a further 6% classified as “unknown gender” (McCloskey & Raphael, 2005). In a study comparing male and female perpetrated child sexual abuse using data from the 1998 Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (Peter, 2009), 10.7% of child sexual abuse incidents were found to be perpetrated by females. McCloskey and Raphael (2005) argued that female perpetrators of child sexual abuse could be much higher as many cases go under-reported.

Emotional abuse
From the limited research that is available, emotional child abuse mainly comes from parents/caregivers and can come from both mothers and fathers. In the United States 4th National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect, 73% of all incidences of child emotional abuse were from a biological parent, 20% from a non-biological parent, and 7% from an other person (Sedlak et al., 2010). Of these incidences of emotional abuse, 60% were perpetrated by males and 50% by females (these figures exceed 100% as in some instances both males and females were involved in emotional abuse) (Sedlak et al., 2010).

Fatal child abuse
Tragically a small but significant number of children die as a result of child abuse and neglect. These children are either directly killed by acts of violence or die from chronic neglect and abuse over time (Asmussen, 2010). Evidence suggests that younger children are more likely to be fatally assaulted by parents and/or other caregivers, whereas teenagers are most often killed by their peers or other adults (Asmussen, 2010). Yampolskaya, Greenbaum, and Berson (2009), in a study examining 126 profiles of perpetrators of fatal assault in United States, found that males were three times more likely to fatally assault their children. The study also found that non-biological parents were 17 times more likely to commit a fatal assault toward a child than biological parents (Yampolskaya et al., 2009).

Most researchers who have used police homicide records regarding fatal child abuse suggest that the majority of perpetrators are males (Lyman et al., 2003). However, many deaths due to child abuse and neglect may not meet the criminal definition of homicide, particularly deaths due to neglect (Finkelhor, 1997; Lawrence & Irvine, 2004).
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link. It is also worthwhile reading some of the references at the bottom of the report.
Should we look at tightening up the rules around reporting of child abuse?
 

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Oh, well. I guess BORK is not genuinely interested in this topic and, as I suspected, is simply misusing statistics to deflect from the abuse of women at the hands of men. Sad but predictable.
 
Kynge of Begrem said:
Another well thought out, well reasoned post by you. Such talent :drunk:
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As opposed to starting a ridiculous thread comparing which gender kills more children..Like it matters twit

Let me guess, if its men we will just ignore the women who do it. This will be consistent with your idiotic feminist logic

grow up
 
La Dolce Vita said:
As opposed to starting a ridiculous thread comparing which gender kills more children..Like it matters twit

Let me guess, if its men we will just ignore the women who do it. This will be consistent with your idiotic feminist logic

grow up
Click to expand...
Move along.
 
For each layer of abuse the Royal Commission peels back, there’s yet another more horrific layer ready to unfold... but the Commission is not game to go there. For instance, I reported here a couple of years back about where Qld’s 35th premier, Rob “Bubbles” Borbidge, fits into the gallery of paedophile rogues.

Rob Borbidge, (he was Premier Newman’s first choice as Governor) and his mates had an after-hours predilection for under-age boys, and his “mates” were none other than ex-Chief Justice, and now the Newman anointed Governor, Paul “Daphnis” de Jersey and the then Federal Court Judge, John “Doggy” Dowsett.
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http://pickeringpost.com/story/commission-s-hands-and-tongues-are-tied-/5482
 
both POS . Second child this week that the accused has been the partner of the mother. :mad:

Mr Maybir, a Christian music producer, is accused of murdering the seven-year-old in his music studio at Oatley and a series of assaults which allegedly occurred in the weeks prior.

He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mother-ka...earold-son-20151026-gkivfx.html#ixzz3piVRDCgH
 
cartwright said:
both POS . Second child this week that the accused has been the partner of the mother. :mad:

Mr Maybir, a Christian music producer, is accused of murdering the seven-year-old in his music studio at Oatley and a series of assaults which allegedly occurred in the weeks prior.

He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mother-ka...earold-son-20151026-gkivfx.html#ixzz3piVRDCgH
Click to expand...

I still can't get my head around adults who assault, abuse or kill children.
At that age children are still dependent, trusting and accepting of those close to them and are unable to fight back.
This is a truly sick situation.
 
cartwright said:
both POS . Second child this week that the accused has been the partner of the mother. :mad:

Mr Maybir, a Christian music producer, is accused of murdering the seven-year-old in his music studio at Oatley and a series of assaults which allegedly occurred in the weeks prior.

He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/mother-ka...earold-son-20151026-gkivfx.html#ixzz3piVRDCgH
Click to expand...
What an awful woman and what an awful man. Absolute scum, the both of them. I have no words for the level of contempt with which I hold them both.
 
cartwright said:
wasn't sure whether to put this in the DV thread, or this... maybe both.
another case of a de facto partner abusing a child.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-23/baby-in-coma-after-suffering-burns/6962566
Click to expand...
The mother can't be much better. Leaving her 10 month old baby with a man with a long history of violence and anger management issues.
And to think he was trying to get access to his own child with another woman.
A generation of uneducated, uninterested and unemployed - raising children :eek:
Their own parents must be so proud.
 
Present Not Past said:
The mother can't be much better. Leaving her 10 month old baby with a man with a long history of violence and anger management issues.
And to think he was trying to get access to his own child with another woman.
A generation of uneducated, uninterested and unemployed - raising children :eek:
Their own parents must be so proud.
Click to expand...

Possibly. We don't know where she was.
 
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