Children account for a large proportion of people accessing
accommodation and other support services for the homeless, with a
significant number escaping domestic violence with their mothers or
other female guardians, according to the latest report from the
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
The second thematic report on the Supported Accommodation
Assistance Program (SAAP) National Data Collection, Children
accompanying homeless clients 2002-03, states that on average,
children accompanying their parent or guardian account for around
42% of all people assisted by SAAP agencies each day.
In total, about 53,800 children accompanied their parent or
guardian to a SAAP agency or received assistance because their
parent or guardian was a client of an agency in 2002-03. These
children had approximately 71,250 support periods.
Report co-author Anne Giovanetti said domestic violence was the
major reason SAAP clients with children sought agency support.
'Domestic violence was the most common reason for seeking
assistance, and around 39,700 - or two-thirds - of all accompanying
child support periods were provided where the parent or guardian
needed assistance for this reason,' Ms Giovanetti said.
The report also provides information on the services
accompanying children required from SAAP agencies, for example,
accommodation, meals, health or medical services and sexual or
physical abuse counselling or support.
Agencies were able to provide required services in
proportionately more cases for accompanying children who were in
SAAP due to domestic violence compared with children who
accompanied clients seeking assistance for other reasons.
Other findings in the report include:
- approximately 88% of children accompanying their parent or
guardian to a SAAP agency were aged 12 years or under. A total of
9% were aged 13-15 years and 3% were 16-17 years;
- the majority of clients with accompanying children were aged
between 25 and 44 years (68%). A further 22% were aged 18-24 years,
7% were 45 years and over and 2% were under 18 years of age;
- 86% of the accompanying child support periods were for children
accompanying a female client; and
- the proportion of support periods for clients with accompanying
children who rented public or community housing increased from 18%
before support to 25% after support.
17 June 2004
Further information: Anne Giovanetti, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1122, mobile 0407 915 851 or Justin Griffin, AIHW,
tel. 02 6244 1206, mobile 0419 239 581.
For media copies of the report: Publications
Officer, AIHW, tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW
Publications Catalogue for availability of Children
accompanying homeless clients 2002-03, June 2004.