Child Protection Australia 2002-03 shows that the
number of child protection notifications in Australia increased by
over 60,000 from 2001-02 to 2002-03, from approximately 138,000 to
198,000 cases. Numbers rose in five of the eight states and
territories.
Significant increases in child protection matters notified to
community services departments over the past year should be
interpreted with care however, and may not necessarily reflect real
increases in the incidence of child abuse, according to a report
released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
(AIHW).
The number of substantiations (cases where there was reasonable
cause to believe that harm had occurred or would occur) also rose,
from approximately 30,000 cases in 2001-02 to 40,000 in
2002-03.
Report co-author, Ms Kelly said that in general terms the
definition of what constitutes child abuse and neglect had changed
and broadened in Australia over the last few years, and was likely
to have impacted on the numbers reported.
'Overall increases in notification and substantiations could be
attributed to increased community and media awareness, increased
funding of child protection and community support services in
general and an increase in child protection workers.'
Another important point, Ms Kelly said, was the differing child
protection legislation, policies and practices among the States and
Territories, which meant that data were not strictly comparable
between them.
'For example, in some States reports may not proceed to become
official notifications if they are assessed as a child and family
concern rather than one of child harm and maltreatment, whereas in
other states virtually all such reports are regarded as
notifications.'
The significant increase in 2002-03 figures for NSW, (where
notifications rose by 54,000 and substantiations by 8,000) can be
attributed to changes to the counting rules. Therefore the data are
not comparable and do not indicate the size of the actual increase
in child abuse cases for NSW.
Child Protection Australia 2002-03 also shows a 44% increase
between 1997 and 2003 in the number of children in out-of-home
care, and a continuing upward trend Australia-wide in the numbers
of children on care and protection orders from 15,700 in 1997 to
22,000 in 2003.
22 January 2004
Further information: Ms Susan Kelly, AIHW, tel.
02 6244 1182, or 0407 915 851 (mobile)
For media copies of the reports: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of Child Protection
Australia 2002-03 report.