Bibliography

Definitions of child abuse

Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Sexual assault in Australia: a statistical overview.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2004, 103p, (ABS catalogue no.4523.0)

This report presents a 'snapshot' view of sexual assault in Australia. Measures for prevalence, individual experiences, responses provided and resultant outcomes are given. Chapters also cover the conceptual framework for sexual assault in Australia, experience-based definitions and offence-based definitions of sexual assault and an examination of disclosure, non-disclosure and reporting to police and service providers. Data quality issues and gaps in the data currently available are highlighted.

Australian Childhood Foundation; Monash University. National Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse.
Play your part: protect our children.
Ringwood, Vic: Australian Childhood Foundation, 2004, 28p, and Online (PDF 1.26MB)
http://www.childhood.org.au/downloads/Play%20Your%20Part%20Booklet%2028aug05.pdf

The effects of child abuse on children, families and society are explored in this booklet. It presents facts about child abuse, definitions of various types of abuse, and why child abuse happens. The booklet also looks at the impact of child abuse, the responsibility of everyone to participate in child protection, ways to listen to and believe children, how to recognise the signs of child abuse, what to do if you suspect child abuse is occurring, and reporting child abuse.

Available from: Australian Childhood Foundation. Internet http://www.childhood.org.au/

Brown, T.
Fathers and child abuse allegations in the context of parental separation and divorce.
Family Court Review v.41 no.3 Jul 2003: 367-380, tables

Issues surrounding stereotyping of fathers in families where child abuse allegations have been made has been increasing. In this article the author examines the reality of the role that fathers play in relation to child abuse allegations in the context of parental separation and divorce, as projected against current research.

Available from: Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, with Hofstra University School of Law. Subscription: Sage Publications

Corby, Brian.
Child abuse: towards a knowledge base.
3rd ed.
Maidenhead, England: Open University Press, 2006, 300p

This book introduces the issues involved in child abuse and child protection. It presents an overview of the social, historical, and research context of child protection work in Great Britain, and current understandings of the causes and consequences of child abuse, discussing topics from theories of child abuse causation to protective services assessment.

Daniel, Brigid.
Comprehensive assessment in cases of child neglect: the key to effective practice.
In: Ninth Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, November 2003: Many Voices, Many Choices - ACCAN papers and presentations. Sydney, NSW: Department of Community Services, 44p, Online only (Power point presentation in PDF format 227K)
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/accan/papers/assessment_child_neglect.pdf

In this presentation, definitions and effects of child neglect are explained; what is known about the parents is summarised, and about practice with neglect; and details are provided about the process of assessment, and what the research tells us about intervention with neglect.

Available from: NSW Department of Community Services, Locked Bag 28, Ashfield NSW 1800. Internet http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/

Fanslow, Janet.
Beyond zero tolerance: key issues and future directions for family violence work in New Zealand.
Wellington, NZ: Families Commission, 2005, 109p, figures, tables (Research report no.3/05), and Online (PDF 1.3MB)
http://www.nzfamilies.org.nz/download/zero-tolerance.pdf

This report provides an overview of New Zealand's responses to family violence and current trends in government and community initiatives. It discusses definitions of family violence, child abuse, elder abuse and intimate partner violence; incidence and prevalence of these types of violence; consequences of these types of violence; programs and service approaches to child abuse; deaths and hospitalisations from partner violence and elder abuse; risk factors for child abuse, elder abuse and partner violence; recognising diversity in perpetration of violence and differences in coping trajectories for 'targets of violence'; intervention and prevention efforts for partner violence, child abuse and elder abuse; health care interventions; school and employer based programs; gender; mass media campaigns; advocacy; legal responses to partner violence; arrest policies and alternative sanctions; interventions for batterers; coordinated community responses; co occurrence of child abuse and partner abuse; economic costs; a framework for violence prevention; and policy and research recommendations.

Available from: Families Commission, PO Box 2839, Wellington NZ. Internet http://www.nzfamilies.org.nz/

Feerick, Margaret Mary (ed)
Child abuse and neglect: definitions, classifications, and a framework for research.
Baltimore, Md.: Paul H. Brookes, 2006, 404p

The overarching goal of this book is to identify research definitions and methodologies that have a high probability of establishing a useful, scientific framework for the field of child abuse and neglect. It is important, however, that such definitions and methodologies be considered within the legal, social, and political contexts that have always accompanied and informed the field of child abuse and neglect. The authors [present] evidence about 1) linkages between theory and the development of a valid and reliable definition and classification system for child abuse and neglect, 2) current approaches to definition and measurementin this area, and 3) the role the legal system and public policy play in settings priorities for research and practice.

Fergus, Lara; Keel, Monique.
Adult victim/ survivors of childhood sexual assault.
Melbourne, Vic: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 6p (ACSSA Wrap no.1), and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/wrap/w1.html

An overview of current information on childhood sexual assault is presented. The following areas are covered: what childhood sexual assault is, who sexually assaults children and how common it is, the effects on victim / survivors, service responses, barriers to reporting, criminal justice responses, and what needs to be addressed in terms of research and service responses.

Available from: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/

Foley, Sue; Tork, Otilie.
No, we don't agree.
In: Ninth Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, November 2003: Many Voices, Many Choices - ACCAN papers and presentations. Sydney, NSW: Department of Community Services, 48p, Online only (Powerpoint presentation in PDF format 615K)
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/accan/presentations/1s5g-1.pdf

The Child Protection Unit of the Children's hospital at Westmead in Sydney, NSW has been referred many cases in which the doctors and other hospital staff believe that the children involved are being unreasonably denied access to the medical care that relevant Health Professionals believe the children need. This presentation explores the thinking and dialogue that staff have engaged in, whilst sorting through these cases and determining how to move forward in a context of the recognising the importance of parental permission and participation, and the rights of children to safety, welfare and wellbeing. Definitions of neglect of medical care are discussed, as are manifestations, effects, and prevalence.

Available from: NSW Department of Community Services, Locked Bag 28, Ashfield NSW 1800. Internet http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/html/contact/contact.htm

Grant, Anna; David, Fiona; Grabosky, Peter.
Child pornography in the digital age.
ISA Journal (Incest Survivors Association) Winter 2003: 11-21, and Online
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/chpornography/

This article explores the issue of child pornography as it has been transformed by new technologies. Following a discussion of definitional issues, it provides an overview of contemporary manifestations of child pornography, particularly the transnational dimension. The article then reviews some of the counter measures which are being mobilised, and indicates what the most appropriate configuration of these counter measures might entail, in both domestic and transnational contexts. (Journal abstract)

Available from: Incest Survivors' Association, PO Box 8311, Perth Business Centre, Perth WA 6849. email isa@global.net.au

Jewell, Pat.
Can parent education still be called 'the cornerstone of child abuse prevention' when neither the voices of the parents or children are heard?
In: Ninth Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, November 2003: Many Voices, Many Choices - ACCAN papers and presentations. Sydney, NSW: Department of Community Services, 13p, Online only (PDF 164K)
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docswr/_assets/main/documents/accan/papers/3s2d-1.pdf

How can the aims of a parent program be achieved if it has not explored the parents' needs, experiences and beliefs or even heard the parents' stories? This paper discusses changes in the development and meaning of parent education, and argues that for too long parent education has worked from a deficit model that helped parents identify what they were doing wrong. The content and delivery of 'prescriptive parent education programs' and of 'inclusive programs' are discussed and compared, and it is argued that the prescriptive program need to be reevaluated in the context of new research, and of the many changes to community and family life in the last century. The family is struggling to hold itself together in an ever changing and challenging world. The family needs support to stay a family and to parent the next generation. Parent education needs, in fact, to be parent support. This support needs to have a strengths based, solution focused philosophy, which allows families to recognise, and build on, their emotional strengths and connectedness. Only when 'prescriptive' programs become 'inclusive' programs can parent education 'support' programs still be acknowledged as 'a cornerstone of child abuse prevention', the paper concludes.

Available from: NSW Department of Community Services, Locked Bag 28, Ashfield NSW 1800. Internet http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/html/contact/contact.htm

Keatsdale Pty Ltd.
The cost of child abuse and neglect in Australia.
Albion, Qld: Kids First Foundation, 2003, 109p, Online (PDF 642K)
http://www.kidsfirst.com.au/documents/Cost%20of%20child%20abuse%20to%20the%20Australian%20economy%202003.pdf

This report has been prepared for the Kids First Foundation by Keatsdale Pty Ltd Management Consultants. The aim of the study was to provide a comprehensive estimate of the cost of child abuse and neglect in Australia. The report first presents an analysis of research into child abuse and neglect with a focus on Australian perspectives; concepts of abuse and neglect with a focus on Australian definitions and referral processes; an examination of the extent of the problem of abuse and neglect; consideration of estimates of the number of deaths arising from abuse and neglect; an examination of the consequences of child abuse and neglect to provide a comprehensive basis for costing. The second section of the report develops estimates of the cost of abuse and neglect in Australia; presents a review of five studies into the cost of child abuse (including as victims of crime) to identify the costing methodologies adopted, the cost elements included, and the basis of cost estimation; develops some initial broad estimates of the cost of child abuse and neglect; presents estimates of the human cost of those abused; estimates of the long-term human and social costs; estimates of the cost of public intervention; estimates of the cost of community contribution; and a summary of the cost of abuse and neglect in Australia.

Available from: Kids First Foundation, PO Box 94, Albion, QLD 4010. Internet http://www.kidsfirst.com.au/

Kelly, Susie.
Child protection data in Australia: current issues and future improvements.
In: Families Matter: 9th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference, Melbourne, February 2005 - proceedings. Melbourne, Vic: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 5p, tables, Online only
http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/afrc9/kelly.html

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has been collating national child protection data since 1990-91. These data are provided to the Institute by State and Territory community service departments who have responsibility for child protection matters. While there are nationally agreed definitions and counting rules used to compile the data, each jurisdiction has their own legislation, policies and practices in relation to child protection which impact on the data they provide to the Institute. The comparability of the data across states and territories is examined and some of the major differences between jurisdictions are highlighted. It is hoped that changing the method of collecting the data will alleviate some of these problems. At present the data is provided in aggregate format, but this will move to a unit record file collection within the next two years. The development of the national reporting framework and data definitions is discussed, as is the collections' potential to provide more detailed data for use by policy makers and researchers interested in child protection. (Author abstract)

Available from: Australian Institute of Family Studies, Level 20, 485 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000. http://www.aifs.gov.au/

Krone, Tony.
A typology of online child pornography offending.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2004, 6p (Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice no.279), tables, and Online
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi279t.html

The Internet has increased the range, volume and accessibility of sexually abusive imagery, including child pornography. Child pornography depicts the sexual or sexualised physical abuse of children under 16 years of age. Australia has joined many other nations in an international effort to combat this multi faceted global menace that combines both heavily networked and highly individualised criminal behaviour. This paper examines the typology of online child pornography offending, as well as law enforcement responses to the problem. This work is a result of a collaborative program between the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Australian High Tech Crime Centre. (Author abstract)

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

Krone, Tony.
Does thinking make it so? Defining online child pornography possession offences.
Canberra, ACT: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2005, 6p, table (Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice no.299), and Online
http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/tandi2/tandi299.html

Investigations into the widespread possession of online child sexual abuse images reveal enormous variety in the types of images collected by adults with a sexual interest in children. While there is almost universal condemnation of the sexual exploitation of children through such images, it is not possible to define precisely what constitutes an illegal child sexual abuse image. This is because the concept is broad, changeable and, at the margins, elusive. Nonetheless, the use of criminal law to regulate any activity requires that the proscribed conduct be clearly defined. This paper reviews the ways in which child sexual abuse images can be categorised and, in particular, examines the impact of the viewer's perception on the definition of child pornography offences in Australia. (Author abstract)

Available from: Australian Institute of Criminology, GPO Box 2944, Canberra ACT 2601. Email aicpress@aic.gov.au. Internet http://www.aic.gov.au

Lawrence, Ruth.
Understanding fatal assault of children: a typology and explanatory theory.
Children and Youth Services Review v.26 2004: 837-852, figures

Having defined child fatal assault as the death of a child through violence intentional or otherwise - perpetrated by another person, this paper develops a typology of child fatal assaults based on the research literature. Categories of fatal assault include neonaticide, fatal child abuse, family dispute and mental illness. Explanatory theories of fatal assault concentrate on different aspects, such as the perpetrator's mental health, violence within the child rearing relationship, or the societal context of the assault. The paper argues that for discussion of child fatal assault as a social problem to proceed, conceptualisation of the social problem and assumptions in the accompanying explanations must be made explicit.

Available from: Elsevier Science

Lawrence, Ruth; Irvine, Penelope.
Redefining fatal child neglect.
Melbourne, Vic: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2005, 23p, tables, figures, (Child abuse prevention issues no.21, Spring 2005), and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/issues/issues21/issues21.html

This paper outlines a developmental theoretical framework to underpin the definitions of fatal child neglect and provides an ecological perspective on prevention of fatal neglect, which takes into account broad social and contextual factors associated with neglect. In order to reduce the risk of fatal child neglect, the authors recommend a shift towards shared responsibility for child safety and wellbeing at the level of the family, community and society. (Journal abstract)

Available from: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Level 20, 485 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000. http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/

Lucas, Di.
Reclaiming feminism and gender.
In: Domestic Violence Court Assistance Network (DVCAN) State-Wide Conference: conference papers. Annerley, Qld: Women's Legal Service, 2003, 8p, Online (PDF 256K)
http://www.wlsq.org.au/sub%20webs/conference%20pages/DVCAN%202003/Reclaiming%20Feminism%20and%20Gender%20D%20Lucas.pdf

Feminism is about the emancipation of all people from the terror and oppression of patriarchy in any of its guises. The paper reflects on the development of feminism and the impact of the resurgence of the women's liberation movement in western countries in the 1960s and 1970s. Violence against women, rape, domestic violence and child sexual assault were put on the agenda by feminists and resulted in funding for women's refuges and rape crisis centres. The paper discusses the bad press about feminism, efforts to dismantle patriarchal cultures, differing meanings of gender and different meanings of feminism.

Available from: Women's Legal Service, PO Box 119, Annerley, Qld 4103. Internet http://www.wlsq.org.au/

Macnamara, Noel.
Developing resilient child protection workers.
In: Protecting children: what counts? Airlie Beach, Queensland, 8 August 2003: symposium papers. Mackay, Qld: Centre for Research on Community and Children's Services, 2003, 14p, tables, Online (PDF 71K)
http://www.croccs.org.au/downloads/What_Counts_conf_papers/ NoelMacnamaraPaper.pdf

What are the personal, environmental and system factors that enable an individual to remain in child protection work? This paper considers the nature of child protection work, information on child protection workers in Victoria, instability in the child protection work force, and characteristics of resilient child protection workers. The paper discusses definitions of resilience, mechanisms that foster resilience, and examples of strategies that help to build protective processes for workers.

Available from: Mackay Centre for Research on Community and Children's Services, PO Box 1401, Mackay Qld 4740. Internet http://www.croccs.org.au/

McLeod, Kay; Goddard, Chris.
The ritual abuse of children: a critical perspective.
Children Australia v.30 no.1 2005: 27-34

The first section of this paper explores the 'discovery' of organised ritual abuse and reviews the literature with particular attention to the developing knowledge base, the question of credibility, the silencing of debate, and the ongoing research. The second section considers the central research issues. The question of definition is discussed and the adoption of 'organised ritual abuse ' as a working definition is proposed. The four aspects of organised ritual abuse, which analysis of the literature suggests are its key defining features, are then discussed. Finally, consideration is given to the importance of values in this field of research. (Journal abstract)

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

Reisner, Tom.
Child abuse prevention help sheets: help sheet 1.
Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter v.13 no.2 Winter 2005: 2-5, and Online
http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/newsletters/nl2005/winter.html#tr

This help sheet is designed to assist organisations that deal directly with children and young people to take the first steps in minimising the risk of exposure to child abuse. Organisations working with children and young people have a responsibility to prevent placing children in a situation where they are at risk of child abuse. This article covers the following areas: definitions of child abuse; the extent of child abuse; developing child abuse policies, procedures and standards; appropriate behaviour towards children and young people; mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse; and useful Australian web sites and contacts.

Available from: National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Level 20, 485 La Trobe Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000. http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/

Southwell, Jenni.
What is child sexual abuse? Rethinking what we know.
Collingwood, Vic: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, 2003, 83p (Discussion paper no.4 2003)

Child sexual abuse (CSA) has come to be a widely discussed issue, with most people assuming that they fully understand the issue. This discussion paper seeks to question such assumptions by analysing the meaning given to CSA and how such meaning informs perception and response to the issues. Terms discussed include incest, paedophilia, child prostitution, child pornography, child sex tourism, rape and sexual assault. The discussion includes consideration of the historical and theoretical frameworks of the meaning.

Available from: Domestic Violence and Incest Resource Centre, 292 Wellington Street, Collingwood Vic 3066. Email dvirc@vicnet.net.au. Internet http://www.dvirc.org.au

Tucci, Joe; Goddard, Chris.
Emotional abuse of children: a study of the narratives in protective assessment and intervention.
In: Ninth Australasian Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, November 2003: Many Voices, Many Choices - ACCAN papers and presentations. Sydney, NSW: Department of Community Services, 43p, 2003, Online only (Powerpoint presentation in PDF format 177K)
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/42706/20040617/www.community.nsw.gov.au/ documents/accan/presentations/3S3J-3.pdf

This presentation considers definitions of emotional abuse, developmental considerations in understanding emotional abuse, and the emotional and psychological domains of children. It then summarises findings from 62 interviews about cases identified by child protection services as having the primary abuse type substantiated as emotional abuse. The participants were children and young people, parents and extended family members, carers, child protection workers and managers, and community child welfare professionals. Arguing that we need greater diversity in the constructs we use in identifying and describing emotional abuse, the authors provide a snapshot of early results, reporting differing responses to the terms abandonment, rejection, parentification, verbal abuse, and inconsistent care, and performing a deconstruction exercise for each term. They conclude that decision-making about cases of emotional abuse is imbued with the same limitations that stem from a poor vocabulary surrounding emotional abuse.

Available from: NSW Department of Community Services, Locked Bag 28, Ashfield NSW 1800. Internet http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/

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