NCJ Number
226271
Date Published
2006
Length
348 pages
Annotation
This study examined child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities in New South Wales (NSW), reviewed how government and non-government agencies in NSW responded, and made recommendations about how these responses could be improved.
Abstract
Child sexual assault was described by the Aboriginal Child Sexual Assault Taskforce (ACSAT) as a huge issue in New South Wales (NSW). Both boys and girls were known to be victims and perpetrators were most often described as male relatives. The ACSAT was tasked with reviewing the services provided by government and non-governmental agencies in response to child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities. Highlights of findings include: (1) child sexual assault was not well understood in Aboriginal communities; (2) little research considered the relationship between child sexual assault and family violence; (3) data collected suggest that Aboriginal females were almost two and half times more likely to be victims of child sexual assault than non-Aboriginal females; (4) no national policy framework outlining the Commonwealth Government's position on child sexual assault was found; (5) there was no statewide policy framework addressing child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities; (6) the NSW Commission for Children and Young People has no programs specifically addressing the safety and well-being of Aboriginal children and young people; (7) NSW police acknowledged tensions between police and the Aboriginal community; (8) overall, Aboriginal communities were positive about the quality of health services provided by NSW Health; (9) judicial officers had little understanding of Aboriginal culture and an incomplete understanding of child sexual assault; and (10) Aboriginal children and young people were grossly overrepresented in the juvenile justice system. ACSAT completed a thorough review of child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities and the way the NSW Government and non-government sectors responded. The review identified the devastating effects that child sexual abuse is having on Aboriginal communities, and revealed a comprehensive government system of child protection and criminal justice that has many barriers and gaps in the services provided to Aboriginal people. Recommendations were formulated that aimed to overcome these barriers to access and eliminate service gaps. Appendix