Child Abuse and Neglect

Question 1

define: neglect

Answer 1

continued failure by a caregiver to provide a child with the basic needs for proper growth and development

Question 2

define physical abuse

Answer 2

non-accidental injury or pattern of injuries to a child

Question 3

define psychological abuse or harm

Answer 3

occurs where the behaviour of their caregiver damages the confidence and self-esteem of the child or young person, resulting in serious emotional deprivation or trauma

could be excessive criticism, withholding affection, exposure to DV, intimidation or threatening behaviour

Question 4

what is a child concern report

Answer 4

concern about a child’s welfare - promoting an investigation to occur

Question 5

what’s the process for reporting children and young people at risk

Answer 5

Once an allegation is made to the healthline, the level of risk is ascertained
- concern for child: child, youth and family services or Brighter Future program –> early intervention and prevention
- child at risk of significant harm: Strengthening Families, Intensive Family Support, or Statutory Child Protection Services
- child at imminent risk of removal or unable to live at home: OOHC (out of home care) (child protection intervention)

Question 6

in the late 2000s, abuse rate decreased, why?

Answer 6

the definition of sexual abuse had been changed –> allegations were only reported if they met the standards of Risk of Serious Harm

Question 7

Where do report come from?

Answer 7

Police
School personnel
Medical health personnel
non-gov organisation
family
social worker
department officer

Question 8

discrepancy between indigenous children and non-indigenous children

Answer 8

about a 1/3 of substantiated reports are for indigenous children

Question 9

risk factors for child abuse

Answer 9

• income and housing stress
• parental mental health
• substance use and domestic violence
• the COVID-19 pandemic: increase in contacts to the kids help line bewteen march and july by 24%

Question 10

nsw prevalence

Answer 10

1 in 7 children in NSW had 1+ notifications to CPS by 5 yrs old
1 in 70 children (at 5 years) were placed at least once in OOHC

Question 11

who are the abusers?

Answer 11

• authoritarian parenting styles include severe punitive tactics
• loss of job - financial issues
• unhappy marriage
• high-risk neighbourhoods –> parent to child ratio is low

Question 12

hositlity in the home

Answer 12

parents who have been primed with hostility are more likely to rate the child as hostile at both levels (hostile or neutral)
i.e. the more hostility in the environment you’re in - the more normalized

cycle of hostility –> primed hostility, hostile respones, et c

Question 13

neglect

Answer 13

• neglectful mothers will rarely see positive emotion sin their infant
• chronic neglect from ages 0-12 predicted aggression/delinquency aged 14 after controlling for the effects of other maltreatment

Question 14

what are the factors contributing to the consequences of victimization

Answer 14

1. nature of the abusive act, frequency/intensity/duration
2. individual characteristics (young victims are more likely to self blame)
3. nature of the relationship between the victim and perpetrator
4. family chaos

Question 15

risk factors for child neglect?

Answer 15

• history of antisocial behaviour
• history of mental problems
• mental/physical problems
• experiences of abuse in own chidhood

Question 16

transmission issues –> violence breeds violence

Answer 16

1/3 of individuals who were maltreated as children, neglect/abuse their own children

Question 17

how does child abuse impact future parenting practice s

Question 18

interventions:

Answer 18

• early interventions: enhancing educational readiness, improving child health, supporting parents
• home visitor programs: assist in material needs, psychological needs, educational needs, family well-being and child mistreatment
• external social supports from the community