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Practical child abuse and

neglect prevention

In this paper, Adam Blakester explores the factors that

have led to success in a number of promising Australian

community initiatives where responsibility is being taken for

the wellbeing of children and young people to prevent child

abuse and neglect.

Since embarking on a holistic community developmentchild abuse prevention strategy in 2004, the NAPCAN

Foundation has learnt a great deal about the success

factors of community-based primary prevention strategies.

Community participation is essential for successful primary

prevention initiatives, as its members are best placed to know

the communitys strengths and aspirations, vulnerabilities

and needs. Active community involvement is essential in

developing genuine long-term capacity and sustainability.

In fact, a common barrier to effective child abuse and

neglect prevention strategies is insufficient community

involvement, responsibility and ownership.

Prevention of child abuse and neglect is a whole-of-

community responsibility and as part of that community

members, professionals, service providers, agencies and

local organisations need to work together in collaboration.

The role for professionals in partnering with communities

is to bring skills, resources and services to support the

implementation of community-based solutions. When

professionals learn from and support communities, the

relationships created become powerful partnerships for

change and enhancing positive outcomes for children.

The case for child abuse and neglect prevention

Thankfully, most Australian children grow up in a loving

and caring family environment. However, child abuse

and neglect continue to be among the most serious social

problems Australia faces, given the number of children and

young people affected and the complex and lasting impacts

of the harm they experience.

Every year, for the last six years, every indicator of child

abuse and neglect has increasedreports, substantiated(confirmed) cases, care and protection orders, and the

N C P C N E W S L E T T E R V O L . 1 4 N O . 2 , W I N T E R 2 0 0 62

In this issue

Introduction 1

Practical child abuse and neglect prevention 2

The Australasian Statutory Child Protection

Learning and Development Group 11

Conference highlights 12

Fine Judgements workshop on

understanding child protection errors 13

The Victorian Childrens Court Clinic 15

Implementation of prevention at a

population level 20

National Child Protection Clearinghouse

activities 22

Literature highlights 23

Conferences and events 26

Adam Blakester

The National Child Protection Clearinghouse has operated

from the Australian Institute of Family Studies since 1995.

The Clearinghouse is funded by the Australian Govern-

ment Department of Families, Community Services and

Indigenous Affairs as part of the Australian Governments

response to the problem of child abuse and neglect. The

Clearinghouse collects, produces and distributes informa-

tion and resources, conducts research, and offers specialist

advice on the latest developments in child abuse prevention,

child protection, and associated family violence.

A community responsibility andprofessional partnership

Commonwealth of Australia 2006

This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the

Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process

without prior written permission from the Commonwealth. Requests

and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be

addressed to the Commonwealth Copyright Administration, Attorney

Generals Department, Robert Garran Offices, National Circuit,

Barton ACT 2600 or posted at www.ag.gov.au/cca

Views expressed in Clearinghouse publications are those of

individual authors and may not necessarily reflect Australian

Government or Institute policy.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

300 Queen Street, Melbourne 3000 Australia

Phone: (03) 9214 7888 Fax: (03) 9214 7839

Email: [email protected]: www.aifs.gov.au

Compiled by: Ellen Fish

Edited and typeset by: Woven Words

Printed by Almar Press

ISSN 1447-0039 (Print)

ISSN 1447-0047 (Online)

Print Post Approved PP349181/00604


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number of children living in out-of-home care (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2001, 2002,

2003, 2004, 2005, 2006).

Today, a child protection report is made every two minutesa rate that has more than doubled over the last four

years. A child is substantiated as having, or being likely to have, suffered child abuse or neglect every 11 minutes,

which was more than 34,000 individual children in 200405 alone (AIHW, 2006).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are over-represented on each of the above indicators of child abuse

and neglect. The arrival of Europeans in Australia brought foreign illnesses, such as influenza and smallpox,which have been estimated by some commentators to have caused the deaths of 2030 per cent of the Indigenous

population and have had lasting negative consequences for Indigenous peoples. The lasting impact of colonisation

has contributed towards the over-representation of Indigenous peoples on indicators of child abuse and neglect. In

theBringing Them Home report, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) concluded that

some of the underlying causes for the poor outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

and for the over-representation of Indigenous children in substantiated child maltreatment and out-of-home care

rates were:

the legacy of past policies of forced removal and cultural assimilation;

intergenerational effects of forced removals; and

cultural differences in childrearing practices (HREOC, 1997).

The economic cost of child abuse and neglect was estimated to be $5 billion in 2003 (Keatsdale, 2003), and a further$769 million in 2004 was determined to be the cost of family violence on children (Access Economics, 2004). In total,

therefore, this estimated cost of child abuse and neglect is more than Australias annual income from meat exports

(Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005).

Given the size of the problem, and the psychological, emotional and physical damage that can result, child abuse

and neglect represents one of the greatest barriers and threats to the wellbeing of Australian children, young people

A U S T R A L I A N I N S T I T U T E O F F A M I L Y S T U D I E S 3

Windale: A child abuse prevention success

Windale, in the New South Wales Lake Macquarie region, was

originally established as a suburb by the New South Wales

Department of Housing. In 1999, Jesuit Social Services rated

Windale as the most socially disadvantaged community in New

South Wales (where community was defined by postcode areas). A

comprehensive three-year community renewal process improved

the situation.

Proving that preventing child abuse is possible, Windale moved

from the worst 1 per cent in terms of child protection notifications

in New South Wales in 1999 to the best 25 per cent in 2003.Windale achieved this outcome primarily through the establishment

of a community centre attached to the local primary school. The

community centreknown as the Alcazar Centrewas led by

a community committee with broad representation. Programs

initiated included:

parenting classes;

the staged introduction of preschool-aged children to schools;

joint exercise and sociability groups for isolated mothers;

an Aboriginal health service and community nursing;

the identification of talented youngsters and provision of

academic extension opportunities;

locally created scholarships and the Department of Housings

relocation of some families to make schools more accessible;

the involvement of fathers in making various contributions to

the life of the school and a general increased involvement by

parents in school life;

a Shop Smart nutrition program;

improved street lighting, enabling safe travel at night, and a

Windale welcome landmark, building community pride; and

the sponsorship of school and sporting needs by local

businesses.

Over time, Windale Primary School became a hub of the community,

later being used as a blueprint for the Schools as CommunityCentres initiative across New South Wales. The Alcazar Centre was

given an Award for Excellence by the Director General of the NSW

Department of Education and Training.

Observations

The Windale community demonstrated that reducing and preventing

child abuse and neglect is possible. In the same way the causes of

abuse and neglect are complex and diverse, the solutions can be

different to what we might expect. The positive community-based

initiatives at Windale had a butterfly effect: small or seemingly

insignificant steps are ultimately making a significant difference to

the children of Windale.

Case study 1


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and the next generation of children and adults. It affects mental, emotional and physical health, levels of violence

and crime, addiction, educational attainment and employment. The consequences can be lifelong and it has been

found that the perpetration of violence and abuse can also be passed on to future generations (Tomison, 1996).

Australian state and territory government funding for child protection has increased in all jurisdictions over the

last five years, with recurrent expenditure totalling $1.2 billion in 20042005 (Australian Government Productivity

Commission, 2006). The Australian Government spent $4.2 million on child abuse prevention in the same period

(Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services, 2005). However, preventing child abuse

and neglect must be given much greater focus by Australian society. In a Michigan study investigating the costs of

child abuse compared to the costs of child abuse prevention, the authors concluded that, while the incidence of

abuse could not be reduced to zero, investments in prevention could be cost-effective, even if they achieve only

modest reductions in abuse events (Caldwell, 1992). The US Perry Preschool study found an economic return to

society of more than US$17 for every tax dollar invested in an early care and education program, and significant

benefits in employment, earnings, home ownership and financial wealth (Schweinhart, 2004). These data show

that, rather than responding afterabuse or neglect has occurred, it is through child abuse prevention that we create

potential for the greatest social and economic returns on our investment.

Effective prevention

Primary prevention strategies are particularly aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect from occurring at all.

To date, successes have been hampered by our relatively limited knowledge about wellbeingthe very goal we are

seeking.

The eyeball of prevention in Figure 1 distinguishes the three roles of prevention:

primary preventionuniversal policies and programs that promote wellness to increase the number of

families functioning well;

secondary preventionpolicies and programs, targeting families experiencing problems and at risk of

maltreating children, that work to reduce those problems and the likelihood of child maltreatment; and

tertiary preventionpolicies and programs that are post-abuse initiatives intended to ensure no further

occurrence of child abuse or neglect (Prilleltensky, Nelson, & Peirson, 2001).

Figure 1 Eyeball of prevention

Interventions

Proactive/universal

policies & programs

promote wellness

Proactive/high-risk

policies & programs

prevent maltreatment

Reactive/indicated

policies & programs

prevent deterioration

Families

functioning

well

Families

experiencing

some problems

Families at

risk of

maltreatment

Child

maltreatment

occurs

Families require

intensive protection

services

Context

Source: Prilleltensky, Nelson, & Peirson, 2001, p. 13.

The ecological and hierarchical structure of wellness shown in Figure 2 describes what we know is common sense:

that the wellbeing and vulnerability of children is connected to the wellbeing and vulnerability of their parents,

families, communities and society at large (Prilleltensky et al., 2001). Effective prevention strategies must promote

wellness and reduce risks across every level of this ecology.

This principle is well understood when dealing with an epidemic like Sydneys giardia outbreak. Treating patientsalone could not solve the epidemic; the root causes had to be addressed (that is, the toxicants entering Sydneys

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water supply). However, child abuse and neglect is much more complex than a giardia outbreak; it is a social

pandemic requiring adaptive solutions and social change (Scott, 2006). There is no single prescription, service,

program or intervention that can stop child abuse and neglect; however, even small community-based strategies

can aid in the prevention of child and abuse neglect.

The Oenpelli case study demonstrates an ecological approach to enhancing wellbeing.


Yingana project, Oenpelli, Arnhem Land:

Enhancing wellbeing

In September 2003, the Oenpelli community of remote Arnhem

Land in the Northern Territory was awarded a NAPCAN Foundation

micro-grant. Bolstered by the support and resources at the

disposal of NAPCANs Northern Territory Office, the grant funded a

facilitator and a project team comprised of five community elders

(who were also mature-age students at the Northern Territorys

Batchelor Institute of Tertiary Education) to produce a locally based

prevention tool that was culturally appropriate for Bininj people

(language group of Oenpelli).

The grant application read: As traditional land owners living in

isolation, Bininj people have many issues. We do not want our

children removed and want to work in partnership with key people

in promoting the protection of children and young mothers Bininj

way It is a whole of community approach.

At that time, data showed that of the 156 children in Oenpellis

community a significant number (88) were experiencing symptoms

of poor nutrition and failure to thrive, as follows:

Small children (stunted) 19Underweight 43

Wasted (malnourished) 20

Anaemic (insufficient iron in the blood) 6

Child welfare agencies frequently intervened to remove children

from their families and the community.

The Yingana project aimed to improve child nutrition and wellbeing,

and decrease the number of child removals, by enhancing

traditional parenting. In the first year of the project, the project

team used the following strategies to enhance traditional Bininj

mothering:

production of a T-shirt incorporating the traditional painting of

the Creation Mother;

development of a series of 12 paintings, together telling the

Creation Mother story;

production of educational posters on child nurturing (in the

Bininj language);

writing a book telling the Yingana project story;

developing a professional induction presentation, with the

communitys first-ever use of Microsoft PowerPoint;

developing an innovative multimedia CD-ROM that used

animation tools to tell the Creation Mother story; and

developing strong, sustained collaborative relationships

across the community.

Each of these initiatives were applied both as the basis for

parent education and forming a starting point for partnerships

with local professionals, services and agencies. The community-

based initiatives became an induction kit for workers coming to

Oenpelli, allowing them to begin building on what has already been

achieved.

The Yingana project received the Vocational Education and Training

Award for Excellence for 2005. Their Creation Mother CD-ROM

is now on sale and proceeds will enable the team to fund futureprojects and child-friendly initiatives.

Observations

The Oenpelli community have developed and implemented a truly

ecological approach to the wellbeing and safety of their children,

with strategies on every level of the ecological and hierarchical

structure of wellbeing:

Child level Improving nutrition and healthy mothers

Parent level Positive parenting messages

Community level Partnerships with elders and services

Societal level Respect for Indigenous culture andknowledge

This initiative was led entirely by the community. Yet, importantly,

the team was able to access and use support from a range of

professionals, including NAPCAN and the Batchelor Institute of

Indigenous Tertiary Education.

This is only the beginning, and the team are continuing to expand

on the work to create more resources for their community and to

further their work preventing child abuse and neglect.

The project ably demonstrates the small beginnings approach of

community developmenttype work (producing a butterfly effect,

as mentioned previously). It highlights the value of communitiesbeing supported (and respected) to take responsibility, rather

than being forced to change. This active support enables active

involvement, ownership and, ultimately, sustained capacity.

Cultural appropriateness is a further critical factor for the success

of any prevention strategy, and is traditionally a particular challenge

for Indigenous, and non-mainstream, child-friendly community

initiatives. Yinganas incorporation of a traditional dreamtime story

showing the importance of maternal health is culturally appropriate

and respectfully demonstrates the value of the ancient wisdom of

Indigenous people.

Case study 2


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Figure 2 The ecological and hierarchical structure of wellness

Societal

Community

Parental & family

ChildValues, resources, programs, p

olicies

Values, resources, programs, policies



Source: Prilleltensky et al., 2001, p. 9.

Windows to wellbeing

Both the Windale and Oenpelli projects demonstrate the clear purpose of reducing maltreatment and improving

the wellbeing of children.

Primary prevention is effectively about the creation of wellness for children, families, communities and society as

a whole. To reduce or eliminate maltreatment is not enough. To create sustainable child-friendly communities, we

must create wellbeing while taking steps to reduce harm.

However, while our knowledge around child abuse and neglect is relatively extensive, our knowledge of what

constitutes wellbeing (and how we can measure it) has only just begun being explored. A review of the Australian

Bureau of Statistics (2005) information paper, titled Key issues relating to children and youth, highlights that the

current data regarding children and wellbeing in Australia is largely harm- and problem-centric. The risk with

harm- and problem-based wellbeing indicators is that wellbeing will be viewed as simply the absence of harm. In

fact, wellbeing is much more than merely the absence of harm.

The Australia InstitutesA manifesto for wellbeingstates:

We need a set of national wellbeing accounts so that we can monitor our progress. They should report on

the quality of work, the state of our communities, crime rates, our health, the strength of our relationships,

and the state of the environment. Governments should be judged by how much our wellbeing improves,

not by how much the economy expands (Hamilton, Eckersley, & Denniss, 2006).

Case study 3 describes a series of art-based workshops for children in Macarthur, New South Wales, and the

importance young people place on social relationships in contributing to wellbeing.

The visions of wellbeing from NAPCANs work in Macarthur were explored with service providers. Figure 3 depicts

the comparison of their different priorities.

The children viewed relationships as the most important priority and goal and, while service providers recognised

that relationships are the most important ingredient for wellbeing, they were arguably the most complex outcomes

to demonstrate and measure.

As a result, service providers focus was primarily on the delivery of services and needs, which are significantly

easier to measure. However, if it is relationships rather than needs that are most important, the delivery of needs

can be both an output and an outcome. While it is important to focus on meeting basic needs in the short-

term, service providers must also recognise the importance of enhancing relationships in order to produce positive

community change in the long term. What are required are holistic models of service delivery that recognise the

primary importance of relationships.

This difference in priority between service providers and young people is a potential risk to the achievement of the

key outcomes of wellbeing and safety of children and young people. Case study 4 clarifies what is being suggestedas the way to deliver services, while prioritising the importance of relationships to childrens wellbeing.



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Figure 3 Comparison of Macarthur childrens and service providers priorities

Relationships

Environment

Base needs

Self

Relationships

Environment

Base needs

Self

Case studies 1 to 4 demonstrate practical initiatives and outcomes which are aligned with the indicators and

qualities of community resilience and risk (depicted in Table 1). The risk and resilience indicators are drawn from

a range of national Australian strategies and frameworks, including the:

National Agenda for Early Childhood, Pathways to Prevention;

Development and Early Intervention Approaches to Crime in Australia, National Anti-Crime Strategy;

National Drug Strategy, Australias Integrated Framework 20042009;

National Action Plan for Promotion, Prevention and Early Intervention for Mental Health; andNational Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy.


Kid-friendly Macarthur

As part of National Child Protection Week 2005, NAPCAN

embarked on an ambitious project to work with children and

young people in south-west Sydneys Macarthur region to create

their vision for a child- and youth-friendly community. A series

of art-based workshops were facilitated by renowned Aboriginal

artist Tex Skuthorpe. The workshops involved some 80 children

and young people from a dozen schools, groups and services.

During the workshops, the children each produced a series of

four paintings reflecting visions of how they would like their

community to be in 100 years time, for their great grandchildren.

In recounting the stories of what their paintings meant, the

children and young people stated (in order of importance) the

qualities they believed were important (see table to the right).

Observations

Contrary to the views of many adults, children between the ages

of 8 and 18 described an inclusive vision of the community they

wanted to create for their great grandchildren. The underlying

issue that can be observed in young peoples responses under

the areas of respect, multiculturalism and friendly spaces issues

is the value placed on relationships. Thus we can conclude that

the issue of most importance to children and young people was

relationships with family, friends, teachers and the community.

The next most important issue was the environment, both built

and natural. The provision of services and having basic needs

met was ranked last in young peoples vision for the future.

The Macarthur work showed that children and young people

viewed relationships as the highest priority for wellbeing.

Positive outcomes for children and young people in areas such

as education, health, safety and employment may be possible

if we deliver sustained outcomes in the form of meaningful

relationships for children and young people.

1. Respect respect each other, the environment, and

ourselves

everyone equal

peace and loving

2. Multiculturalism all working and living together

no racism

3. Services access to health services

cheap public transport

more teachers and further education

life skills education

meaningful employment

stable services

4. Friendly spaces neighbourhood, shops, parks, youth

facilities

healthy environment

Case study 3


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Table 1 Community qualities for childrens wellbeing and safety

Resilience Risk

Social connectedness Cultural norms concerning violence as an acceptable response to frustration

Respect for cultural diversity, identity and pride Social or cultural discrimination, including cultural ignorance

Available, accessible and appropriate services which respond

effectively

Media portrayal of violence

Existence of supportive social relationships and networks Social isolation; lack of infrastructure; housing and urban conditions (unhealthycities)

Participation of children and families in community life and

community groups

Lack of support services

Family-friendly work environments and culture Socioeconomic disadvantage

Early identification and support for families and children at risk

of poor outcomes

Social norm of providing cures rather than preventative support


The difference relationships can make

The importance of relationships is generally accepted as a key

element in children and adults level of resiliency when confronted

with crises and/or life stresses. For example, a social worker in

Sydney had worked with a particular family for over a decade.

During this time, the son of the family had become a teenager.

One day, the social worker was feeling very low, struggling to find

the strength and courage to face another session with the son,

knowing just what he had survived over more than 10 years. The

following conversation took place:

Worker: Can you tell me, how is it you have survived? What kept

you going?

Boy: Every day, when I used to get on the bus to go to school,

the bus driver used to ask me: Hows my little ray of

sunshine today? I knew then that I was someone; that I

mattered.

Observations

At the same time the bus driver was fulfilling the required service

of taking children from home to school and back again, the driver

delivered a relationship (though probably never knowing the

difference it made to the boy). The bus driver showed the boy he

was valued and valuable. This was the real outcome.

Case study 4

Building community responsibility

The Whitsunday Islands community in Queensland has actively

participated in National Child Protection Week (NCPW) for many

years. Inspired by the Child Friendly Challenges in NCPW 2005,

they decided they wanted to keep prevention of child abuse and

neglect on their agenda all year round.

In September 2005, a community action group was formed. Their

main focus was on taking steps towards making the Whitsundays

more child-friendly, including a partnership with the World Health

Organization Safe Communities Project. To date, the groups

actions have included:

a whole-of-community Christmas event bringing together

children, families, police, firemen, businesses and service

providers;

a brochure titled: Child protection in the Whitsundays,

containing information on child abuse and neglect and

contact details for all service providers in the region; and

the establishment of two working groups:

the Child Protection Group, which will organise

community education throughout the year and facilitate

National Child Protection Week; and

the Access to Recreation Group, which will establish

affordable recreation for financially disadvantagedchildren with scholarships and an inaugural sport expo,

to be held in October 2006.

Observations

With their purpose of improving wellbeing and reducing risks

of harm, and their main resource being time and passion for

childrens wellbeing and welfare, the Whitsundays community has

demonstrated the ability to develop a locally relevant action plan,

and establish partnerships with service providers and business

to bring their action plan to life. The involvement of children and

young people has been central in all of their activities.

o

o

Case study 5


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The case studies demonstrate the practical ways communities can get involved to put these national strategies and

frameworks into effect in their area.

Case study 5 demonstrates the development of a locally relevant action plan, and the establishment of partnerships

with service providers and businesses to bring that action plan to life.

Conclusions

The lessons, case studies, anecdotes and models presented above demonstrate the early stages of how communities

can, and are, taking responsibility for working to improve the wellbeing of children and young people and, in turn,

helping to prevent child abuse and neglect.

The involvement of community has brought important knowledge to the table. In many cases, communities

have created simple and meaningful plans that deliver an ecological approach to the dual objective of improving

wellbeing and reducing risks of harm to children and young people.

The butterfly effect metaphor has been used to describe the fact that, from the small and significant steps being

taken, the potential is for big things to grow.

Three significant benefits of community responsibility were highlighted:

Goals. Exploring and determining a picture of wellbeing and safety is a powerful way to involve communitiesand children in determining which outcomes are a priority and their vision for the future (such as the kids of

Macarthur telling of the need to focus on relationships first and foremost);

Content. The case studies demonstrate communities ability to develop plans relevant to their context and

culture and make progress towards their vision of wellbeing and safety (such as the Oenpelli community

creating a maternal health campaign from their own Bininj Creation Mother dreamtime story); and

Process. With a clear and valued vision for the future, and a relevant and realistic action plan, each

community studied has been able to bring services and other resources to the implementation process (such

as the Whitsundays community, who have achieved so much with passion and time).

In closing, it is important to recognise the message given by communities taking responsibility for the wellbeing

and safety of childrenthat we all have the ability to play a part in enhancing the wellbeing of children, families

and communities. Indeed, when it comes to the mission of preventing child abuse and neglect before it starts,childrens wellbeing and safety is everyones business.

NAPCANs five-step plan for a child-friendly Australia

A child-friendly Australia, free from harm, one community at a time:

1. Ask children and young people to create their vision for a child friendly community. Be creative!

2. Develop a simple plan of action, again working with the kids.

3. Form a group of local partners and other key stakeholders (checkout NAPCANs Community Action Kit).

4. Begin the child-friendly journey.

5. Involve NAPCAN. We can promote your story and work, connect you with our network and partners and more

References

Access Economics. (2004). The cost of domestic violence to the Australian economy: Part 1 & 2. Canberra: Office of the Statusof Women.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2005). 2005 year book Australia. Canberra: Australian Bureau of Statistics.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2001). Child protection Australia 199900. Canberra: Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2002). Child protection Australia 200001. Canberra: Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare.Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2003). Child protection Australia 200102. Canberra: Australian Institute of

Health and Welfare.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2004). Child protection Australia 200203. Canberra: Australian Institute ofHealth and Welfare.



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Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2005).Information paper: Key issues relating to children and youth, 2005. Canberra: AustralianBureau of Statistics.

Australian Government Department of Family and Community Services. (2005). Department of Family and CommunityServices Annual Report. Canberra: Department of Family and Community Services.

Australian Government Productivity Commission. (2006). Report on Government Services 2006, Volume 2. Canberra:Australian Government Productivity Commission.

Caldwell, R. A. (1992). The costs of child abuse vs child abuse prevention: Michigans experience. Michigan: Michigan ChildrensTrust Fund and Michigan State University.

Hamilton, C., Eckersley, R., & Denniss, R. (2006).A manifesto for wellbeing. The Australia Institute. Retrieved 23 June 2006,from http://www.wellbeingmanifesto.net/about.htm.

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. (1997). Bringing them home: Report of the National Inquiry intothe Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families. Sydney: Human Rights and EqualOpportunity Commission.

Keatsdale. (2003).Report into the cost of child abuse and neglect in Australia . Albion, Qld: Queensland Kids First Foundation.Retreived from http://www.kidsfirst.com.au/ page.php?partid=45.

Prilleltensky, I., Nelson, G., & Peirson, L. (2001).Promoting family wellness and preventing child maltreatment: Fundamentalfor thinking and action. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

Schweinhart, L. J. (2004). The High/Scope Perry Preschool study through age 40: Summary conclusions and frequently askedquestions. Ypsilanti, MI: High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. Retrieved 4 July 2006 from http://www.

highscope.org/Research/PerryProject/perrymain.htm.Scott, D. (2006). Sowing the seeds of innovation in child protection. Paper presented at the 10th Australasian Conference on

Child Abuse and Neglect. Wellington, NZ. Retrieved 4 July 2006 from http://www.nzfvc.org.nz/accan/speakers/scott.shtml.

Tomison, A. (1996). Intergenerational transmission of maltreatment(Child Abuse Prevention Issues, No. 6). Melbourne:National Child Protection Clearinghouse. Available from http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/issues6.html.

Adam Blakester is the Executive Officer for the National Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect

(NAPCAN) Foundation.

10 N C P C N E W S L E T T E R V O L . 1 4 N O . 2 , W I N T E R 2 0 0 6

The goal of the Child Abuse Prevention Newsletteris to promote the exchange of

information and ideas and encourage scholarly debate of child maltreatment

and child protection research, policy and practice issues.

Appropriate topics for contributions include:

child maltreatment and child protection research, policy and practice

issues;

education and training issues;

program profiles;

notices about upcoming conferences, workshops, events; and

book reviews, pointers to new publications, online papers, resources/

links, websites, and so on.

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Acceptance of all material is subject to a review process. Consideration willbe given as to whether articles are relevant, clearly written, jargon-free and

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The Commonwealth of Australia holds copyright to all articles published in the

Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter.

To contribute to the Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter, contact or send your

manuscript to:

National Child Protection Clearinghouse

Australian Institute of Family Studies

300 Queen Street Melbourne, Victoria 3000

Phone: (03) 9214 7888

Fax: (03) 9214 7839

Email: [email protected]

Guidelines for contributors to the National Child Protection

Clearinghouses Child Abuse Prevention Newsletter

Documents

PracticalPreventionCommunityProfessionalPartnership_NCPCH_AFB