Child abuse & neglect

Child abuse is generally defined as the deliberate infliction of physical, emotional or sexual harm to a child. Child neglect refers to a failure to provide conditions essential to the health, physical and emotional development of a child. Both child abuse and neglect are associated with serious short and long term physical, psychological and emotional health problems for children(a)(b).

Between 1998 and 2002 in South Australia, the number of substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect has remained relatively steady. At the same time, there has been a rapid increase in the number of notifications of child abuse(c).

In the Adelaide Metropolitan area during the period 1999 to 2002 there were 5,786 substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect. Over the same period for the City of Onkaparinga, there were 990 cases of child abuse and neglect recorded. Overall the City of Onkaparinga has a slightly higher level of child abuse and neglect than the State average (5% above SA level).

Within the City of Onkaparinga, the Statistical Local Areas (SLAs) of Onkaparinga-Hackham(d) and Onkaparinga-North Coast have the highest rate of child abuse and neglect at more than twice the State average. At the other end of the spectrum, Onkaparinga-Hills and Onkaparinga-Reservoir are considerably lower than the South Australian average.

Substantiated cases of child abuse and neglect, 1999-2002

Source

Department of Health, Government of South Australia, ‘Inequality in South Australia’, Key Determinants of Wellbeing, Volume 1: The Evidence 2004

1	Onkaparinga - South Coast	5	Onkaparinga - North Coast
2	Onkaparinga - Woodcroft	6	Onkaparinga - Hackham
3	Onkaparinga - Reservoir	7	Onkaparinga - Morphett
4	Onkaparinga - Hills

Source	Department of Health, Government of South Australia, ‘Inequality in South Australia’, Key Determinants of Wellbeing, Volume1: The Evidence 2004
(a)	Department of Health, Government of South Australia, ‘Inequality in South Australia’, Key Determinants of Wellbeing, Volume1: The Evidence 2004, pg.63
(b)	Australian Institute of Family Studies, National Child Protection Clearinghouse, Child Abuse and Neglect: Incidence and Prevention (http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/issues1.html)
(c)	The increase in notified cases and re-notification is, in part, due to a growing awareness and concern in the community together with the introduction of legislative changes ensuring mandatory reporting in South Australia.
(d)	Refer to map and chartbelow.