Child protection in the time of COVID-19
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Child protection
Citation
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2021) Child protection in the time of COVID-19, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 24 June 2026, doi:10.25816/2tfy-bv81.
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Child protection services aim to protect children from abuse and neglect in family settings. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected daily life, potentially limiting opportunities for child abuse to be detected. This report presents child protection data for March to September 2020, with comparisons to 2019. Selected information is also presented on risk factors for child abuse, including income and housing stress, parental mental health, substance use, and domestic violence.
- ISBN: 978-1-76054-796-7
- DOI: 10.25816/2tfy-bv81
- Cat. no: CWS 76
- Pages: 20
Findings from this report:
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Risk factors for child abuse/neglect increased during COVID-19 - financial hardship, housing stress & poor mental health
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Notifications to child protection services fell during the first wave of COVID-19 and increased once restrictions eased
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The number of children in out-of-home care remained relatively stable between March to September 2020