Bibliography

Cycle of abuse

Behind closed doors: the impact of domestic violence on children.
New York, NY: Programme Division, Child Protection Section, UNICEF, 2006, 14p, map, tables, Online (PDF 1788K)
http://www.unicef.org.au/documents/BehindClosedDoors.pdf

The impact on children of witnessing a parent or caregiver being subjected to violence is explored. The study, which uses data from the United Nations Secretary General's Study on Violence Against Children, aims to estimate the numbers of children who are exposed to domestic violence globally and provides national estimates of the number of children exposed to domestic violence. The following findings are summarised: increased risk of children becoming victims of abuse themselves, significant risk of increasing harm to the child's physical, emotional and social development, and the likelihood that this will become a continuing cycle of violence for the next generation. The report also looks at how children can be protected from domestic violence and supported in healing following exposure to violence.

Available from: UNICEF Australia http://www.unicef.org.au

Basham, Sandra.
Survivors and parenting: breaking silence, shame, generational cycles of abuse and building on strengths.
ISA Journal Spring 2006: 12-20, figure

Survivors of child sexual abuse often believe they will not be good parents. This article looks at key problems with intergenerational transmission of child sexual abuse due to silencing of victims; parent child relationships and the determinants of parents; research on child sexual abuse and parenting; effects of child sexual abuse relevant to parenting; and persistent effects of child sexual abuse. It then discusses breaking the intergenerational cycle and building support, and outlines a parenting group program that helps child sexual abuse survivors.

Available from: Incest Survivors' Association, PO Box 8311, Perth Business Centre, Perth WA 6849

Basham, Sandra.
Building generations: a strengths-based, solution-focussed, parenting program for female adult survivors of childhood family sexual violence: manual.
Perth, WA: Incest Survivors' Association, 2007, 217p

Survivors of childhood intrafamilial sexual abuse or domestic violence often face problems when they become parents - overprotective or neglectful parenting skills, fears of not being a good parent, or risks of a repeating cycle of family violence. The 'Building Generations' parenting program provides education and support for groups of women, and covers parenting styles, healthy versus unhealthy parenting, consistency, handling emotions, child development and behaviour, safety issues for children, dealing with anger and violence, and self care. This manual outlines group sessions, and includes handouts, background information and literature review, and tips for group facilitation and closure.

Available from: Incest Survivors' Association, PO Box 8311, Perth Business Centre, Perth WA 6849

Breckenridge, Jan.
'Speaking of mothers most': how does the literature portray mothers who have a history of child sexual abuse?
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse v.15 no.2 2006: 57-74

The way the literature presents mothers who have a history of child sexual abuse is explored. The paper focuses on research that examines the mothers' parenting after the disclosure of their child's sexual abuse. It discusses the intergenerational transmission of risk of child sexual assault, the competency and capacity of mothers with a history of child sexual abuse to parent and support their children, and disclosure and increased stress for non offending parents.

Bruce Callaghan and Associates.
Long term problem solving in disadvantaged communities: evaluation report: UnitingCare Burnside family service model in the Macarthur region.
North Parramatta, NSW: UnitingCare Burnside, 2004, 53p, and Online (PDF 2.36MB)
http://202.5.101.3//content_folder/content/Evaluation%20Report%20of% 20the%20Burnside%20Family%20Support%20Model%20in%20the%20Macarthur%2 0Region%20%2D%202004%2Epdf

The study outlined in this document looked broadly at the need for family support and the effectiveness of the three family services collectively known as the Burnside Family Service. It involved case reviews, focus groups, interviews with families, and discussions with service providers. The review focused on the Macarthur Family Service Model which seeks to support families caught in a cycle of disadvantage in an area dominated by high unemployment, low household income, low educational attainment, significant domestic violence, high child mistreatment levels and a higher than average level of child neglect and out-of-home care. The report includes sections on the context in which a family service is appropriate, characteristics of successful family services, and generating a network response for families. One of the programs within the Macarthur Family Service Model is the Claymore Outreach Program, and an appendix presents the Claymore interim report.

Available from: UnitingCare Burnside, 13 Blackwood Place, North Parramatta NSW 2151. Internet http://www.burnside.org.au

Connolly, Marie; Doolan, Mike.
Lives cut short: child death by maltreatment.
Wellington, NZ: Dunmore Publishing for the Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2007, 132p

A quantitative and qualitative analysis of child deaths by maltreatment in New Zealand was undertaken with the aim of improving understanding of how child homicide happens and how society responds to it. The study examines the statistics and individual cases of child deaths. It describes patterns of behaviour and the wider contextual factors, such as socioeconomic status, cultural or gender behaviours, that affect families. It proposes changes that would strengthen the child protection system and break intergenerational cycles of child abuse and neglect.

Cunningham, Marcia.
Breaking the cycle: keeping 'at risk' adolescents engaged.
Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal no.9 Autumn 2004: 58-67

A range of factors contributes to early school leaving, and so a mix of solutions is required. This article describes Sydney's Rosemount Day Program, which aims to offer an alternative life skills experience for early school leavers. The author considers factors contributing to early school leaving including socio economic factors, single parent families, abuse issues and bullying. She discusses the structure, rationale, design and content of the program.

Available from: Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies, Locked Bag 13, Haymarket NSW 1240. Email acwa@acwa.asn.au. Internet http://www.acwa.asn.au/

Fergusson, David M; Boden, Joseph M; Horwood, L John.
Examining the intergenerational transmission of violence in a New Zealand birth cohort.
Child Abuse & Neglect v.30 no.2 Feb 2006: 89-108, tables

This study used data from the longitudinal Christchurch Health and Development Study to investigate whether children who witnessed interparental violence went on to be involved in interpartner violent crime. The covariate factors included in the analysis were: measures of family socio economic background; measures of family functioning; measures of child abuse; and measures of individual characteristics.

Available from: Elsevier

Gordon, S.
The Gordon Inquiry, child protection and the role of the health worker.
Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal v.27 no.5 Sept - Oct 2003: 10-14

In this edited version of the paper she delivered at the Fourth National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers' Conference in June 2003, the author describes some of the cases of child abuse she hears in the Children's Court and discusses the background and general situation relating to child abuse in Indigenous communities. She concludes with a plea to health workers and others in the community to report child abuse as one step towards breaking the cycle of family violence and child abuse.

Available from: Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal, PO Box 502, Matraville NSW 2036. Email journal@aihwj.com.au. Internet http://www.aihwj.com.au

Gordon, Sue.
Cultural conceptualisation of child abuse and responses to it: an Aboriginal perspective.
Social Policy Journal of New Zealand no.28 Jul 2006: 18-35, and Online
http://www.msd.govt.nz/publications/journal/28-july-2006/28-pages18-35 .html

Although there is widespread concern about the prevalence of child abuse in Indigenous Australian communities, the problem has been hidden under the false assumption that violence and abuse are culturally ingrained. Differing responses to family violence among Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians perpetuate the systemic cycles of violence plaguing many Indigenous communities. This article says that family and child abuse must be seen within the broader context of historical and present factors, and that the underlying issues that shape Indigenous experiences of abuse must be addressed in order to achieve any real outcomes in protecting Indigenous children. The article addresses the issue of child abuse and neglect within the context of cultural conceptions of the problem and responses to it.

Available from: Ministry of Social Development http://www.msd.govt.nz/

Hassall, Ian; Hanna, Kirsten.
School-based violence prevention programmes: a literature review.
Auckland, NZ: Institute of Public Policy, 2007, 135p, and Online (PDF 1.09MB)
http://www.ipp.org.nz/publications/Violence%20Prevention% 20Programmes.pdf

An outcome of a project to establish best practice criteria for the evaluation of school based violence prevention programs, this literature review considers international and New Zealand research identifying programs that: model and teach healthy relationships within the classroom and playground; focus on the school culture as a whole and aim to make it peaceful; lead or contribute to community wide programs aimed at reducing violence; identify and help to change students with antisocial behaviour; prevent children from inflicting or suffering bullying, dating violence, family maltreatment, child sexual abuse and sexual violation or rape; and equip students to avoid inflicting or suffering intimate partner violence and maltreating children when they become adults.

Available from: Institute of Public Policy http://www.ipp.org.nz/

Imbesi, Renee.
Figuring violence: young people living with family violence.
DVIRC Quarterly (Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre) no.4 Summer 2005 - 2006: 30-33

This article is a review of research on young people's experiences of family violence. It examines how many young people live with family violence, how often child abuse and domestic violence overlap and the effects that living with violence has on young people. Also discussed are: homelessness as a result of violence; young people as witnesses of domestic violence; problems with the intergenerational cycle of violence theory; the influence of stereotypes; what young people think about family violence services; and what can be done to better support young people.

Available from: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre http://www.dvrcv.org.au

Mazerolle, Paul; Legosz, Margot.
Breaking the cycle: a study of victimisation and violence in the lives of non-custodial offenders.
Brisbane, Qld: Crime and Misconduct Commission, 2007, 111p, Online (PDF 3.9MB)
http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/data/portal/00000005/content/ 20003001186461304939.PDF

Little is known about offenders serving non custodial sentences. The Offending Persons Across the Lifecourse project shows, for the first time in Australia, the criminogenic risks of noncustodial offenders. It collected sensitive personal information through interviews with 480 female and male offenders serving intensive correction or probation orders under Queensland Corrective Services. The interviews gathered information about victimisation experiences, mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, criminal activity, satisfaction with intimate relationships and involvement in correctional treatment programs. The study aimed to: assess the prevalence of various forms of child maltreatment, including physical and sexual abuse and neglect; measure the prevalence of sexual and violent victimisation during adolescence and adulthood; examine the relationship between negative early life experiences and experiences and outcomes later in life; examine the treatment needs of respondents; and examine whether victimisation experiences and their consequences differ between male and female and Indigenous and non Indigenous offenders.

Available from: Crime and Misconduct Commission http://www.cmc.qld.gov.au/

Mondy, Linda; Mondy, Stephen.
Breaking the cycle: the Australian experience of NEWPIN.
Developing Practice: The Child, Youth and Family Work Journal no.8 Summer 2003: 26-35

The New Parent Infant Network (NEWPIN) is an intensive, centre based parent education and support program developed in the United Kingdom to help families at risk of child abuse. This article outlines the aims of NEWPIN, the theoretical and practical frameworks for the program and costing and staffing implications. UnitingCare Burnside has operated the program for five years in western Sydney, and the model has proved flexible enough to accommodate Australian innovations such as the introduction of vocational training, development of specific programs for mothers and children, and the fathers' and older siblings' programs. Initial results from the Sydney experience of the program supports the positive results of the UK evidence but also reveals the challenges, such as maintaining the NEWPIN culture of support, the impact of negative peer support and the effects of competing demands for staff.

Available from: Association of Childrens Welfare Agencies, Locked Bag 13, Haymarket NSW 1240. Email acwa@acwa.asn.au. Internet http://www.acwa.asn.au/

New South Wales. Attorney General's Department.
Breaking the silence: creating the future. Addressing child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities in NSW.
Sydney, NSW: Attorney General's Department, 2006, 335p, figures, cd-rom, and Online
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/acsat

It is widely accepted that Aboriginal children are more likely to be victims of child sexual assault than their non Aboriginal counterparts. It is also accepted that child sexual assault is a grossly underreported crime, particularly in Aboriginal communities. This report contains data and research that describes a stark picture of intergenerational abuse and social disadvantage. The primary aim of this report was to examine child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities, review how government and non government agencies in NSW respond and make recommendations about how these responses could be improved. The report examined the relationship between child sexual assault and family violence and overarching government responses to child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities. It specifically looked at NSW agency responses to child sexual assault in Aboriginal communities and alternative models for addressing child sexual assault.

Available from: NSW Attorney General's Department www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au

Poole, Marilyn.
Violence.
In: Poole, M. ed. Family: changing families, changing times. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin, 2005, p199-222

Some of the controversies and debates surrounding family violence are discussed in this chapter. The chapter considers issues such as the theoretical and methodological frameworks used in studies of violence in the home, and intergenerational transmission of violence. It covers the terms and definitions used to define violence in the home, family violence as a social and public issue, sources of information on family violence in Australia, homicide, the links between child maltreatment and family violence, the effect on children of witnessing or experiencing violence, elder abuse, explanations for family violence, resource theory, patriarchal terrorism and common couple violence.

Available from: Allen and Unwin, 9 Atchison Street, St Leonards NSW 2065. Email frontdesk@allen-unwin.com.au. Internet http://www.allen-unwin.com.au

Rayner, Moira.
The neighbourhood paedophile.
Eureka Street v.15 no.7 Sept-Oct 2005: 40-41

How can we adequately protect children from sexual exploitation? This article discusses characteristics of female and male paedophiles, the low rates of reporting and prosecution of child sexual assault, treatment programs for paedophiles, the cycle of abuse, child protection programs, and the potential for protecting children from paedophiles.

Available from: Jesuit Publications, PO Box 553, Richmond Vic 3121. Email eureka@ jespub.jesuit.org.au. Internet http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/index.html

Richardson, Nick.
Social costs: the effects of child maltreatment.
Melbourne, Vic: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 6p (Child abuse prevention resource sheet no.9), Online only
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs9/rs9.html

A large number of individual and environmental variables influence the effects of maltreatment suffered by children who have been abused, with both short term and long term effects. This article discusses psychological consequences associated with child maltreatment; physical health problems associated with child maltreatment; consequences associated with specific types of maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, psychological maltreatment and exposure to domestic violence; and intergenerational transmission of maltreatment.

Available from: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/

Richardson, Nick; Bromfield, Leah.
Who abuses children?
Melbourne, Vic: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2004, 8p (Child abuse prevention resource sheet no.7), Online only
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs7/rs7.html

Children are most likely to be abused at the hands of parents or other caregivers. This document summarises the information that is available about those who perpetrate child abuse and neglect. It discusses the main forms of child abuse - physical abuse, fatal child abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and psychological maltreatment - in relation to the evidence regarding perpetrators. The article also looks at information about children witnessing family violence and the rate of intergenerational transmission of child abuse.

Available from: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/

Saunders, Hilary.
Tackling domestic violence and homelessness with children.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 8p, Online only (132K)

In discussing domestic violence as a cause of homelessness, the author considers the cycle of violence, ways of preventing domestic violence, the effects of domestic violence on children, and the role of contact orders made by the courts as a factor in repeat homelessness for women and children. She believes that domestic violence should be recognised as a gender issue, and child protection and violence prevention programs need to take account of this.

Available from: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, PO Box 603, Dickson, ACT 2602. Email: info@afho.org.au. Internet http://www.afho.org.au

Taylor, Nicola; Signal; Tania.
Attitude to animals: an indicator of risk of interpersonal violence?
Journal of the Home Economics Institute of Australia v.11 no.3 2004: 9-12, figures, and Online (PDF 136KB)
http://www.heia.com.au/heia_graphics/JHEIA11-3-2.pdf

Recent research has highlighted links between violence to animals and violence to people. Drawing on data investigating links between aggression and attitudes to animals, this paper assesses the utility of such theories, in particular addressing links between domestic violence, child abuse and harm to companion animals. We conclude that whilst causal relationships between attitudes to animals and violent behaviour cannot be established as yet, animals may well provide an insight into the cycle of abuse and therefore attitudes towards animals may be utilised to develop early intervention and prevention measures. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Home Economics Institute of Australia, PO Box 779, Jamison Centre, Macquarie ACT 2614. Internet http://www.heia.com.au

Tully, David.
Childhood sexual assault and homelessness.
In: Beyond the divide: 3rd National Homelessness Conference, 6-8 April 2003, Brisbane. Dickson, ACT: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, 2003, 3p, Online only (95K)

The Adelaide Central Mission's SideStreet Counselling Service offers support services for young people suffering the effects of sexual abuse who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The author discusses the link between childhood sexual abuse and homelessness, and describes the cycle of victimisation that often results from the effects of abuse. He explains the model on which SideStreet bases its service, including the importance for effective outcomes among homeless young people in tackling the issues related to sexual assault.

Available from: Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations, PO Box 603, Dickson, ACT 2602. Email: info@afho.org.au. Internet http://www.afho.org.au

Winkworth, Gail; McArthur, Morag.
Breaking into schools: establishing high quality human services in educational contexts.
Children Australia v.30 no.1 2005: 19-26

This paper explores the ACT Government's investment in a school based human services program. This program aims to improve educational and social outcomes for children and young people by creating effective working relationships between families, communities and their schools. It considers the contemporary challenges to achieving a quality service in a domain not normally inhabited by human services professionals. The main focus of the paper is an analysis of some of the factors which were considered in establishing a high quality service. The paper draws attention to the importance of developing a conceptually sound program model, in particular one which demonstrates how evaluation can be integrated throughout the program cycle. It argues the importance of pursuing two key pathways to quality: the achievement of professional standards in program design, and the pursuit of the consumer voice in shaping and judging program performance. The paper contends that program sustainability in this field of practice hinges on recognising who the consumers are, and achieving a range of outcomes which address their varied needs and priorities. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Oz Child: Children Australia, PO Box 7020, Dandenong Vic 3175. Email ChildrenAustralia@latrobe.edu.au.

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