The term ‘child abuse’ includes:
For information about rates of abuse and neglect in Australia, visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Tens of thousands of children are psychologically and/or physically harmed each year. Far too often that damage lasts a lifetime.
As a result, past victims of abuse and neglect are grossly over-represented in the populations of our prisons, as perpetrators of crime and violence, and amongst the economically and socially disadvantaged members of our society.
Given the size of the problem, and the psychological, emotional and physical damage that can result, child abuse and neglect represents one of the greatest barriers and threats to the wellbeing of Australian children, young people and the next generation of children and adults. It affects mental, emotional and physical health, levels of violence and crime, addiction, educational attainment and employment.
The consequences can be lifelong and it has been found that the perpetration of violence and abuse can also be passed on to future generations (Tomison, 1996). Proven cases of abuse and neglect affecting Indigenous children average six times greater than the broader population.
*AIFS National Child Protection Clearing House
For information about rates of abuse and neglect in Australia, visit the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
NAPCAN (National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) was co-founded in 1987 by Rosemary Sinclair AO and Christine Stewart OAM.
The prevention of child abuse & neglect is a complex problem needing a whole set of strategies & actions to be successful in stopping maltreatment.