2
September 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media release
Time to face up to child abuse
With 55,000 confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Australia in 2008-09,
that’s one every 10 minutes, it’s time to face up to this alarming social problem.
It’s easy, almost comfortable, to turn your back on child abuse, to ignore those
niggling doubts about neighbours or the quiet, nervous kid on the football team.
But this Child Protection Week ACT for Kids is urging all Queenslanders to face
up to the problem.
ACT for Kids Executive Manager Programs and Research, Dr Katrina Lines, said
the statistics are shocking and they still don’t show the full extent of the
problem.
“We know child abuse and neglect is under-reported, a lot of people don’t act
on their suspicions or think someone else will so they don’t have to. That means
those kids and families don’t get the support they need to address and recover
from the problem,” Dr Lines said.
But she was quick to explain why people often don’t report abuse.
“Most people think it’s not their business, that someone else will do something.
They’re afraid they might be wrong or that people will find out who reported the
abuse and even that the outcome may actually be worse than the status quo,”
she said.
In fact, people who report abuse to the Department of Communities, Child
Safety Services can remain anonymous, and it’s also not always the case that
children are removed. Early intervention support services are available that
work collaboratively with families to ensure a safe and healthy home for their
children.
Dr Lines also points out that there are misconceptions around what constitutes
child abuse and neglect.
“Sexual abuse is often the most sensational and horrific type of abuse we hear
about in the media and it shocks us.
“While it’s also under-reported, it only accounts for approximately five percent
of confirmed cases of child abuse. Neglect and emotional abuse are far more
prevalent, and may result in more detrimental and long-term effects,” Dr Lines
said.
It’s overwhelmingly the case that prompt professional intervention and support
is what determines a positive outcome for children who have experienced abuse
and neglect.
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ACT for Kids is an Australian
charity providing free professional
therapy to treat and prevent child
abuse.
Previously known as the Abused
Child Trust, we have helped
thousands of children affected by
abuse and neglect since 1988.
Did you know?
In 2008-09, there were
339,454 reports made to
child protection services in
Australia. Authorities found
abuse claims were
substantiated in 54,621
cases.
The rate of abuse has more
than doubled over the past
10 years.
The number of children
being removed from their
parents has also doubled
over the past decade. At 30
June 2009, there were
34,069 young people in out-
of-home care.
The Australian Government
and State and Territory
governments announced in
2009 a national, long-term
approach for protecting
Australia’s children. ACT for
Kids is part of a coalition
working to ensure these
reforms produce better
protection for children.
ACT for Kids is calling on the
Australian Government to
make the ‘baby bonus’
contingent upon new
parents completing a basic
parenting course.
PAGE 2: Time to face up to child abuse
“When families are investigated for suspected abuse doors are also opened to access free professional
support. ACT for Kids provides free professional therapy to children and families, both to treat previous
abuse and neglect and also as early intervention to help families avoid that outcome,” Dr Lines said.
Child Protection Week, 5-11 September, is a timely reminder that as a society we have a very real
responsibility to protect children. The message for this year’s awareness week is that protecting children is
everybody’s business. It is time for all of us to face up to child abuse and neglect.
ACT for Kids, together with Channel Seven, launched the inaugural ‘Channel Seven /ACT for Kids Appeal’, 3-
10 September, to raise awareness funds for the vital services provided free to abused children and their
families throughout Queensland.
ACT for Kids Chairman, Denis Loaney, said that with so many confirmed cases of child abuse in Australia, they
have good reason to set the ambitious target of raising $500,000 in eight days.
“We’ve been providing free professional therapy to treat and prevent child abuse across Queensland for over
20 years. The need for our professional services continues to increase and we want to reach out to all of the
children and families affected by child abuse and neglect, but we need help to fund that support,” Denis said.
ACT for Kids therapy centres located in Weipa, Cairns, Townsville, Gold Coast and Brisbane operate outreach
and remote services throughout Queensland. To donate and help face up to child abuse, visit
ENDS
Contact:
ACT for Kids Communication and PR Manager
Kelly Morgan 07 3857 8866 or 0409 751 622
kellym@actforkids.com.au
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