Many Indigenous families and communities live under severe social strain caused by a range of social and economic factors. Alcohol and substance misuse, and overcrowded living conditions are just some of the factors that can contribute to child abuse and violence.
This indicator provides some indication of the extent of abuse, neglect and/or harm to children in the family environment. However, substantiation data refer only to those matters which have been notified and investigated. No credible data exist on actual levels of abuse.
KEY MESSAGES
From 1999-2000 to 2005-06, for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous children, the rate of substantiated notifications for child abuse or neglect increased (figure 3.9.1).
In 2005-06, Indigenous children were nearly four times as likely as other children to be the subject of a substantiation of abuse or neglect (table 3A.9.1).
Report Chapter 3: Headline Indicators
(PDF document)
Attachment 3A
(Excel document)
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