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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 3 Hansard (23 October) . . Page.. 4080 ..


Child abuse and neglect

(Question No 922)

Mr Cornwell

asked the Minister for Education, Youth and Family services, upon notice, on 23 September 2003:

In relation to child abuse and neglect:

How many reports of abuse and neglect were reported in the following years:

2002-2003,

2001-2002, and

2000-2001;

For (a), (b), (c) above:

How many of these reports were for physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect;

How many of these reports were investigated;

How many of these reports have resulted in prosecution or in consideration of prosecution for child abuse;

How many children have been removed from the care of the alleged abuser as a result of abuse or neglect;

What percentage of reports of abuse and neglect came from:

doctors;

nurses;

other health professionals;

teachers;

other education workers;

childcare workers;

social and community workers;

police;

relatives; and

other members of the community.

Ms Gallagher

: The answer to Mr Cornwell's question is as follows:

(a) 2126 notifications received.

801 notifications received.

794 notifications received.

(a) Of the total number of reports received, the number for physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect for 2000-2001, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003 are:

Abuse

2000-2001

2001-2002

2002-2003

Physical

230

231

485

Neglect

176

153

442

Sexual

87

90

218

The 2002-2003 figure is significantly higher than previous years, due to a new policy for handling reports. Previously some reports were handled as 'consultations', however, as of 27 January 2003, all reports received relating to the wellbeing of children/young people are handled as reports of concern.

2002-2003 1249 investigations. This figure has also been affected by the policy change for handling reports discussed in (2) (a).


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