Child Abuse and Neglect: Part 1--Redefining the Issues

• NCJ Number: 181886
• Author(s): Marianne James
• Date Published: February 2000
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Trends and Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice, No. 146

Annotation

Following an overview of the historical context of awareness of and societal response to child abuse in Australia, this paper considers emerging issues in child abuse; the problem of definition; incidence and prevalence; identification, intervention, and prevention; and the legislative and legal processes.

Abstract

The increasing awareness of child abuse as a problem parallels children's increasing legal status and the emergence of the child as an individual. Over the past 30 years, developments have placed child abuse and neglect on the public agenda in ways not previously seen. Australia, like other western countries, began to acknowledge the existence and extent of the physical abuse of children during the 1960's and 1970's. The 1990's has witnessed the identification of additional forms of child abuse. These include the sexual abuse of children in both institutional and family situations by people who have occupied a position of trust. A growing body of research suggests that child abuse and domestic violence are linked within families. In its wider application, the term "child abuse" has also been used to refer to child pornography. There is an increasing area of uncertainty in Australia as to what child abuse and neglect actually involves, with the parameters constantly changing in what is essentially a dynamic process. Given that the parameters of child abuse and neglect are constantly changing, the various components of child abuse and neglect should not be regarded as entities in themselves, but rather situated within the continuum of family violence and family dysfunction, with an emphasis on the knowledge, skills, and parental responsibility in society. It is necessary to target specific at-risk populations at different stages of the life cycle to gain maximum benefit; however, the response to child sexual abuse should be regarded as an issue in its own right. Even though there are sometimes overlaps with other forms of maltreatment, it has its own set of unique and complex circumstances. 42 references