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Child abuse and neglect is a complex problem that needs to be addressed through a multidisciplinary approach. Nurses internationally have frequent contact with children and are ideally placed to respond to children experiencing abuse and neglect. Nurses' roles can include reporting abuse to child protection services (CPS). This paper reports on one aspect of the findings of a qualitative study exploring Australian nurses' perceptions and experiences of keeping children safe from abuse. Specifically, this paper reports on the theme relating to nurses' experiences of communicating their concerns to CPS and the family when reporting abuse and neglect. This qualitative study was underpinned by social constructionism, with data collected through semi‐structured interviews with 21 nurses working with children in Australia. Key findings reported are: (1) being heard; (2) [feeling] disappointed, discouraged and disenfranchised; and (3) managing tensions between engagement and reporting. Nurses at times perceived that they were not taken seriously by CPS and felt powerless to enact change for children. Nurses subsequently had to decide how, and if, to discuss their report with families to mitigate negative reactions and maintain engagement. This study highlights the need for more effective multidisciplinary collaboration between nurses and CPS to promote change for children affected by abuse in Australia. 'This paper reports on... nurses' experiences of communicating their concerns to CPS and the family' Key Practitioner Messages: Nurses often perceived that they were not taken seriously by CPS and felt powerless to make a difference for children.Nurses experienced a tension between openly discussing their intention to report with families and minimising negative reactions such as disengagement and mistrust.This study highlights the need for greater collaboration between CPS and nurses to promote shared understanding and effective action to promote the wellbeing of children experiencing abuse and neglect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents selected findings from a research-based evaluation of a men's domestic violence intervention programme, which aims to assist men to develop alternative ways of relating to their partners, children and others. The qualitative component of this evaluation involved conducting interviews with 21 group participants after their completion of the course. These interviews investigated several issues, including participants' perceptions of their relationships with their children. The main theme underpinning all discussions of children was an expression of love, in that love for their children served as a motivation to stop using violence and to develop alternative ways of relating to all family members. The paper concludes by discussing the potential of men's relationships with their children as powerful contexts, or points of leverage, through which the impact of their violent behaviour can be realised and confronted. By realising the impact that violent behaviour can have on children's wellbeing and fathers' interpersonal relationships with them, it is argued that intervention programmes can support men to develop more appropriate ways of relating to their children, and thus safeguard children from potential long-term consequences of domestic abuse. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Men attending domestic violence intervention programmes demonstrate a wide range of attitudes towards their partners and former partners, but unanimously report a desire to maintain meaningful relationships with their children., Men who have used violence in their family relationships can be challenged and motivated to change through realising the impact of their behaviour on their children's wellbeing and their father-child relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws on three studies conducted in Australia, Canada and Ireland which explore the factors influencing research utilisation in the child protection sector in each country. The paper recognises that research uptake is complicated by a number of factors. It also acknowledges critiques which cite the equally significant influence of ideologies, context, unpredictability, time constraints and political expediency. However, all three studies recognised the increasing importance of evidence-based practice. The methods used in the three studies were not identical but the frameworks used were sufficiently similar to enable the classification of both common and dissimilar barriers and facilitators to research use. Those which they identified were categorised into four types: individual, organisational, environmental and characteristics relating to the nature of research material. Implications were identified for policy makers, service providers and research producers. The point was made that we now live in a period where unprecedented means of knowledge transfer and exchange provide unique opportunities to improve the lives of children and families. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Avail of opportunities to attend learning events., Draw on research findings when conducting assessments, writing reports, devising intervention plans, evaluating programmes and tendering for funding., Establish links with research centres., Become involved in the conduct of research., Support colleagues (champions) who display particular interest and motivation in the use of research evidence by recognising and/or rewarding effort., Avail of opportunities to undertake further study that includes a research component. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the implementation experience of a child and family policy with ambitious integration goals. The questions to be addressed here focus on the factors that facilitated integration, those that hindered it, and the meanings in practice of integration at the levels of service delivery, planning, and management. The policy is Families First, implemented in New South Wales, the largest state in Australia, beginning in 1998. Families First is an ambitious state-wide initiative that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children aged from birth to eight years, by supporting parents and carers. This is to be achieved by the development of a coordinated network of prevention and early intervention services that identifies children and families who require further assistance and links them to appropriate support early, before problems become entrenched. Based on the process evaluation of Families First's implementation, this paper argues that successful implementation of Families First as an integration policy was characterized by high levels of participation from a range of actors. We found a number of factors facilitated integration: inclusive practice; building relationships; empowerment; and time and resources. These findings also, however, raise larger questions about the application of integration policies in an early childhood context, where these facilitators are known to be in short supply. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the hitherto unexplored role of magistrates in child protection. It reports on a series of interviews conducted by one of the authors with magistrates in the Family Division of the Melbourne Children's Court, Victoria (Australia) in 1993–1994. These interviews form part of a current, and larger, study of magistrates' decision-making in child protection. This paper critically examines the role of magistrates in planning for children in need of care and protection. Some of the questions that the paper poses include: do magistrates focus solely on judicial aspects or do they have a role in overall case planning for children? Do they have specific aims or objectives which influence how they deal with children who come before them? Do magistrates mostly agree with the recommendations which social workers put to them? Are magistrates subject to constraints which may not be understood by other professionals? The findings of the paper will assist in clearly defining the role of the magistrate in child protection, which has distinct advantages for all professionals who work in this complex area. The most appropriate outcomes for children can only be achieved when magistrates and other professionals work in partnership. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a problem for children and young people living in out‐of‐home care (looked after children). As part of a broader action research project aiming to prevent both harmful sexual behaviour carried out by children and young people and CSE in out‐of‐home care, four focus groups were undertaken with 17 workers at three Victorian residential houses in 2017. The findings reported in this paper were generated through the research question: What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care? Three major themes were identified: (i) children and young people going missing from home; (ii) children and young people not identifying as victims; and (iii) frontline police response unhelpful when children and young people missing. The design of prevention and response strategies to combat CSE must take into account the challenges identified by workers to ensure the best possible sexual abuse prevention outcomes for children and young people living in residential care. 'What do workers perceive as the key challenges in caring for children and young people vulnerable to CSE in out‐of‐home care?' Key Practitioner Messages: Children and young people need to be educated about the tactics used by perpetrators so that they can recognise if they are being groomed or exploited.Residential staff need to be upskilled about how to respond to children and young people at the point that they are leaving the house for the purpose of CSE.Workers need to be empowered to make decisions about the day‐to‐day welfare of the children and young people in their care.Multiagency collaboration is vital in preventing and responding to CSE, and efforts should be upscaled across all local government areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article introduces a series of papers about child care and child abuse. The first paper reminds people that those working to prevent abuse should be considering ways to prevent physical punishment of children. Phillips and Alderson also encourage those who are working to prohibit smacking to understand and tackle the underlying reasons why smacking continues to be widely practiced and accepted. In the second paper, Soo See Yeo from New South Wales also challenges current Australian practice, which she feels fails to acknowledge and respect Aboriginal cultural values when assessing bonding and attachment of their children for court proceedings. She argues that this may well contribute to the over-representation of Aboriginal children in the care system. Fyson, Eadie and Cooke highlight the need to acknowledge the issue of sexually inappropriate or abusive behaviors exhibited by adolescents with learning disabilities. The final paper by Polnay and Curnock describe how in Nottingham the role of the named doctor in child protection is fulfilled.

Internationally, there are few studies that have trialled structured intervention programmes designed to prevent excessive weight gain or combat existing overweight/obesity for young people living in out-of-home care. The Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) programme was designed to address this limitation and is, to our knowledge, the first programme that simultaneously encourages young people and their carers to engage in a healthy lifestyle. This is the second of two papers presenting the HEAL evaluation. The aim of this study was twofold: first, to explore the experiences and opinions of key stakeholders regarding the intervention programme; and second, to understand the key enablers and barriers to successful implementation of the HEAL programme in residential care. Seventeen carers and ten programme coordinators participated in semi-structured interviews. Findings demonstrated that HEAL was considered a valuable adjunct to the residential care programme, and was successful in raising awareness about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle. Positive behaviour change among the young people and carers' dietary, physical activity and sleeping habits, and the development of independent living skills were described. Barriers to implementation included leadership support and professional development of carers. Recommendations are made to improve implementation, particularly around the importance of increasing stakeholder 'buy-in'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction to the journal is presented on topics including abuse of women and their children during post-separation contact; post-separation co-parenting from fathers; and history of domestic violence.

Key Practitioner Messages: There is a well‐established link between animal‐ and human‐directed violence.Reports of animal abuse in child protection referrals may indicate more severe cases of child abuse.Cross‐reporting of abuse is important, both in the context of child protection and animal welfare. 'There is a well‐established link between animal‐ and human‐directed violence' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinship care is the fastest growing form of out-of-home care placement in Australia. It is now a more common form of placement than foster care in some Australian states and is the most common form of placement for Indigenous children nationally. This paper reviews national data and reports findings from a state (New South Wales) study of the experience of kinship carers, children and workers. Relative carers, children and child welfare caseworkers were found to identify psychological benefits, family obligation and criticism of other forms of care as reasons for preferring kinship care. Legislation and policy, particularly the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle, are also identified as factors contributing to the rise in kinship care. Concern for the high levels of stress among carers and the low levels of monitoring of children's safety and well-being are discussed and a stronger policy and practice response from government agencies is proposed. Indications of new policy and programme responses are demonstrated by several recent initiatives at state and national levels. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is strong evidence for the link between domestic violence and child abuse. Agencies' policies regarding domestic violence and child protection are critical in determining the dimensions of practitioner intervention, including safety planning for women and children. This paper explores the issues identified in research around safety planning where there are domestic violence and child protection concerns which was conducted with practitioners in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, in 2001. In particular, the paper focuses on three of the factors that influence practitioner intervention with women and children. These are: definitional understandings of domestic violence and child abuse; child protection legislative changes, including mandatory reporting and domestic violence as a child-at-risk category; and the NSW child protection statutory authority's response to domestic violence. The interplay between these factors results in complexities of practice for practitioners as they attempt to maximize women's strengths and minimize risks to children's safety. The resultant inconsistent response to domestic violence and child protection by government and non- government agencies suggests the need for domestic violence interagency guidelines. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares and contrasts child death review (CDR) structures and processes in six countries - Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, England and Wales. It presents findings from a comparative study based on analysis of data from 18 case studies. Data were collected through a combination of documentary analysis, interviews and observations. The study found that CDR processes vary according to: where the function is located and whether review is undertaken at state, local or national level; whether review is rooted in legislation; the focus of review; whether dedicated funding is provided; whether families are involved in the process; and whether structures are supported by useful data systems. It was not possible to evaluate the effectiveness of different review systems but the findings suggest that structure makes little difference in terms of determining the extent to which CDR findings inform prevention effort and activity. While factors such as lack of funding, lack of national data, or lack of legislation may hinder the work of CDR teams, CDR findings have informed prevention initiatives despite such barriers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Standardisation and aggregation of data at national or state level are crucial for effective CDR., A model of individual review, cross-case review and themed review can result in real learning and practice change., A public health model of CDR offers the most potential in terms of prevention., Families can contribute key information but participation must be managed sensitively and take account of cultural issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of being killed is greatest within the first 24 hours of birth. Despite this, less is known about neonaticide compared with other homicides, particularly those occurring in the Australian context. A highly publicised case of neonaticide attracting an 18-year sentence recently provoked debate about the introduction of prevention strategies, such as 'Safe Havens' and baby hatches in Australia. This paper reviews the limited international literature on risk factors associated with neonaticide and provides an insight into recent developments on the introduction of Safe Haven laws in the US. Little is known about the risk factors associated with neonaticide in Australia. Given recent interest in developing policies to prevent or reduce neonaticide in Australia, there is a pressing need for more research in this area. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Early identification improves positive outcomes for pregnant women and babies., Education initiatives to target non-antenatal professionals as well as other non-medical professionals who may come into contact with potentially high-risk women., Training must include recognising signs of a neglected and hidden pregnancy as well as early signs of pregnancy., Upon suspicion of pregnancy, referral to an appropriate professional should be made., Confidentiality is of paramount importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent Australian study of people experiencing poverty, involving in-depth interviews with 20 participants, suggests that a complex process leading to poverty in adult life can stem from abusive and adverse experiences in childhood. It is considered that these experiences of abuse and adversity may begin a process of ‘negative chain effects’ (Rutter, 2000) resulting in a pathway into poverty caused by ‘accumulated adversity’ (Seth-Purdie, 2000). The development and maintenance of human capital, defined as the sum of a person's physical, psychological and economic capabilities, are strongly influenced by the extent of adversity experienced over a person's life course, particularly experiences of adversity in early childhood (Seth-Purdie, 2000). In this paper, the experiences of childhood abuse and adversity reported by the interviewees will be outlined and discussed in the light of theory and research related to development during childhood and adolescence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Young people leaving out of home care are arguably one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. Compared to most young people, they face particular difficulties in accessing educational, employment, housing and other developmental and transitional opportunities. Care leavers have been found to experience significant health, social and educational deficits including homelessness, involvement in juvenile crime and prostitution, mental and physical health problems, poor educational and employment outcomes, inadequate social support systems and early parenthood. These poor outcomes reflect a number of factors including ongoing emotional trauma resulting from experiences of abuse and neglect prior to care, inadequate support while in care, accelerated transitions to adulthood and lack of guaranteed ongoing financial and other assistance to help facilitate this transition. Young people leaving care do not currently receive the ongoing support that a good parent would be expected to provide for their children. Using relevant literature from the USA, UK and Australia, this paper examines the factors that contribute to these poor outcomes and potential policy and practice reforms that may lead to better outcomes for care leavers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on a study of the extent to which child protection applications brought to the Melbourne Children's Court in Victoria, Australia, were based on emotional/psychological harm or neglect of a child and what factors were presented as evidence of harm or neglect. The study examined records of 208 court-ordered pre-trial conferences heard in the court between February and July 2002. What was found was that, although cases involving emotional abuse have increased in terms of child protection applications, they remain cases that are difficult to decide. While in 1998/9 emotional harm was a ground in 25.7% of child protection matters completed in the Family Division of the Children's Court of Victoria, legal decision-makers are reluctant to make a finding of child abuse in these cases because there is less accuracy in the determination of emotional harm and negligible legal criteria available to guide decision-making. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legislative responsibility for child protection has become a major theme in the international human rights arena and a major policy issue within early childhood education and care. This paper examines child protection policy and legislation in Australia and measures that are being employed to safeguard children and childhood within contexts that are seen as increasingly risky. Juxtaposing perspectives on child protection and child liberation, it examines the protective responsibilities specified in legislation in the context of predominantly adult agendas. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In New South Wales, Australia, there is an increasing emphasis in the children's court on bonding and attachment assessments to determine whether or not a child remains with their carers. Aboriginal children and young people are over nine times more likely than other children and young people to be in out-of-home care. There is a paucity of information on culturally appropriate assessments of Aboriginal children in relation to bonding and attachment. Most assessments on the Australian indigenous families are based on the dominant Australian community's perception of what constitutes competent parenting. The question arises as to whether we are making psychologically and ethically sound decisions about whether or not a child remains with their Aboriginal carers based on evidence that is culturally appropriate for Western families but culturally inappropriate for the indigenous families. It is argued that the core hypotheses of attachment theory such as caregiver sensitivity, competence and secure base have to be based on the Australian Aboriginal people's cultural values. The aims of this paper are to explore the current practice on the bonding and attachment assessment of Aboriginal children using a dynamic eco-systemic approach in the assessment of bonding and attachment of the indigenous people, with an emphasis on the historical, cultural and spiritual contexts. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on the factors influencing decision-making for a group of 10 South Australian community nurses in cases of suspected child abuse. Each nurse participated in a structured interview. The data were organized into themes, using the computer program NUD*IST. Factors having an impact on the nurses' decisions to report included: the type of suspected abuse, making moral judgements and decision-making, the consequences of reporting, and the impact versus the outcomes of reporting. Most significantly, the community nurses based many of their decisions on their estimation of the kind of intervention likely to be undertaken by children's protection services. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the media in influencing child protection policy is explored by examination of the death of one child, Daniel Valerio, in Victoria, Australia. Daniel, 2 years old, died at the hands of his mother's de facto barely five months after he (Paul Aiton) moved in with Daniel's mother, Cheryl Butcher.[The Australian term ‘de facto’ is the equivalent of the English word ‘cohabitee’.] A series of reports to protective services highlighting multiple and severe bruising to Daniel were made; Daniel's postmortem revealed 104 bruises on his body. Although 21 professionals were involved in the case, tragedy was not averted; in fact, it was an electrician rather than trained professionals who recognized the obvious abuse. A series of inquiries into the case ensued; these were not immediately reported by the media, but press attention to the case intensified gradually. This led to a successful though paradoxical campaign by one newspaper, the Melbourne Herald Sun , to introduce the mandatory reporting of child abuse by health and welfare professionals. The paradox is that those people who needed to know of the case to protect Daniel knew about it before his death. This article analyses the campaign, highlights the factors which led to its success and provides succinct advice to professionals on the use of the media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the underestimation of the risk of family and domestic violence (FDV) in child protection cases. The study compares the data collected through fixed-field methods and narrative data, revealing that the extent of children's exposure to FDV is higher when using narrative data, highlighting the limitations of fixed-field data in capturing the complete picture of FDV.

Repeated reporting to child protection is common. One approach to early intervention is for jurisdictions to receive and respond to child protection concerns raised before children are born. Despite this, little research has comprehensively examined subsequent child protection contact for those first reported prenatally. This study aimed to examine the subsequent child protection contact for up to a two‐year period for a cohort of children who were reported about prebirth. Child protection administrative data were extracted for 640 children reported for a concern about an unborn child in a single jurisdiction during 2014. Data about child protection contacts included reports, investigations, substantiations and out‐of‐home placements for children reported prenatally. Of the 640 children, 79% reported about prenatally also had contact with child protection between birth and age two. From birth and up to age two, children reported prenatally had between zero and 21 reports. Twenty‐two per cent of the children reported prenatally were removed from their birth parents and placed in out‐of‐home care prior to age two. These findings highlight the importance of intervening and supporting families prior to and during pregnancy to reduce harm to children and reduce the need for contact with child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prenatal substance use, specifically opioid and excessive alcohol use, can cause significant adverse effects for the unborn foetus in both the short‐and long‐term. Responses by state social systems occur on a spectrum of prevention and early intervention to support mothers. Some but not all states include reporting duties, so that professionals made aware of the situation may alert agencies that can intervene to provide appropriate support. This article will review legal duties to report maternal substance use during pregnancy in the US and Australia. We identify variations in these laws regarding who is required to report, what circumstances must be reported and what indicates child abuse or neglect. Inconsistencies in laws raise questions about the nature of different approaches, and how reforms might be made to improve provision of support. Informed by the medical literature, the contemporary context and federal policy in the US, we make recommendations for reform, and for the appropriate response to such reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the results of an exploratory study aimed to provide policymakers with a rapid analysis of the extent of child protection involvement for individual children and their families, and the characteristics of families reported. Topics covered include the sources of data utilized, the research in partnership towards system improvement and the extent and patterns of involvement with child protection over the life of the family.

Abuse is a frequent cause of infant subdural haemorrhages, retinal haemorrhages and neurological dysfunction. Confessed shaking, without impact, is one reported injury cause. However, this remains legally controversial. We evaluated whether witnessed shaking alone can cause typical abusive head trauma (AHT). Cases were collected by Helfer Society list‐serve solicitation for infants who developed signs and symptoms of AHT after independently witnessed shaking. We also reviewed a cross‐sectional observational, multi‐centre study (Examining Siblings to Recognize Abuse (ExSTRA)) of 2890 children evaluated for abuse between January 2010 and April 2011 who experienced independently witnessed shaking. Four children identified by the Helfer Society experienced witnessed shaking and developed clinical and radiological evidence of AHT, including subdural and retinal haemorrhages. Another two had neurological symptoms, but normal imaging. Nineteen (0.7%) ExSTRA subjects experienced witnessed shaking without impact injuries. Among them, one (5.9%) of the 17 subjects who were neuroimaged had AHT findings and additional abusive injuries. Three had neurologic symptoms but normal neuroimaging. Although shaking is rarely witnessed, these cases support that shaking alone can cause typical AHT injuries, including, but not limited to, acute neurological impairment, subdural haemorrhages and retinal haemorrhages. This information is important to the legal management of abused children. Key Practitioner Messages: Confessions document that infant shaking can cause abusive head trauma (AHT); however, this is disputed in courtrooms and by some physicians.Ten infants developed clinical neurologic symptoms with or without radiologic findings of AHT after independently witnessed shaking. None had a history of cranial impacts, and all lacked physical findings suggesting impacts. They provide support for isolated shaking as a cause of AHT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for culturally appropriate ways of assessing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander kinship carers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children entering into out-of-home care in the Australian statutory child protection system. The Winangay Aboriginal Kinship Carer Assessment Tool (the Winangay Tool) has been developed to address this need. A key factor in the success of new ways of working is the fit of the new practice within the context in which it is introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate the social and cultural acceptability of the Winangay Tool to practitioners responsible for assessing kinship carers. A total of 84 practitioners completed a questionnaire prior to training and 83 practitioners completed a questionnaire on completion of training in the use of the Winangay Tool. Responses on questionnaires completed pre- and post-training in the Winangay Tool suggest a high level of acceptability to practitioners. Both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal practitioners rated the Winangay Tool as culturally appropriate and acceptable overall, describing it as user-friendly, collaborative and innovative. The favourability of the Winangay Tool to practitioners compared to their existing approach to assessment suggests that it is likely to be well endorsed and implemented by practitioners completing kinship carer assessments. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data drawn from the Australian Homicide Project were used to examine whether and how maternal and paternal filicide perpetrators differ in terms of motivations for filicide and childhood and adulthood adversities. In addition, key differences between filicide and non-filicide perpetrators were examined. Data were collected across a number of states and territories in Australia between 2010 and 2013 through interviews with 231 men and women convicted of murder or manslaughter. Of these participants, 14 had perpetrated filicide. Detailed information on the developmental background of the perpetrators, as well as motives and situational contexts of the homicide incidents, was gathered through the interviews. Findings from the current study reveal some important gender differences among filicide perpetrators. For example, filicidal fathers are more likely to perpetrate accidental filicide, and to report unemployment, alcohol and drug problems and previous engagement in child abuse, while filicidal mothers are more likely to perpetrate altruistic or neglectful filicide, and to report mental health problems. In addition, male filicide perpetrators report a greater number of adversities compared to male non-filicide perpetrators, while female filicide perpetrators display fewer adversities compared to their non-filicide counterparts. Key Practitioner Messages Practitioners are uniquely placed to assist in filicide prevention., Opportunities for service providers to raise awareness of key risk factors for filicide are crucial., Health and social service providers are ideally placed to screen parents seeking support to uncover early warning risks., Mental health service support is crucial, particularly for mothers, as is screening parents for severe depression or suicidal ideations., Provision of parenting support skills to help parents cope with extreme stress appears salient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the evidence on maltreatment in foster care, drawing on a critical review of research published in the USA, the UK and Australia. Few studies have reported on the extent of maltreatment in this setting and the evidence that does exist is inconclusive. The limited available evidence suggests that maltreatment may be reported for up to two per cent of children in foster care in any one year, but much depends on the definitions used and on local variation in thresholds for investigation. The article discusses the perpetrators and nature of this maltreatment and problems with substantiation, and highlights important gaps in the existing research. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages: It is important to distinguish allegations of maltreatment from those concerning poor standards of care. However, the boundary between the two may sometimes be unclear., Poor assessment and supervision of foster carers may increase the risk of maltreatment., Precipitate responses to allegations of poor standards of care, without a proper assessment of the balance of risks, may themselves be harmful to children's emotional wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that child abuse and neglect (CAN) is under recognised and under reported. Our aims were to examine and compare child protection (CP) knowledge, confidence and practice of frontline clinicians in general practice and hospital settings in South Western Sydney (SWS). We surveyed doctors and nurses in general practice and in the emergency department (ED) in a district in SWS using a validated questionnaire. Of the 113 responses, 62 were general practitioners (GPs), 9 practice nurses, 26 ED nurses and 16 ED doctors. The confidence level with identifying CAN was moderate, with a significant difference between groups. The majority (59%) had made previous CP reports, few suspected but decided not to report; reporting rates differed significantly. A majority (80%) reported some CP training; of the 22 with no training, 21 were GPs and practice nurses. Of those reporting some training, more than 70 per cent of ED nurses, GPs and practice nurses felt their training was inadequate, compared with 19 per cent of ED doctors. There are significant differences in confidence and practice between frontline clinicians in primary care and ED. Targeted CP training should be provided for all frontline clinicians with particular emphasis on primary care GPs. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes how to engage the community in child protection programs, based on the experience of NEWPIN in Australia. NEWPIN is a centre-based intensive child protection and parent education intervention for children under five and their parents. NEWPIN offers group therapy, play therapy, parenting information, a 24-hour peer support network and direct vocational skill training to 20-25 families who are vulnerable and need guidance and support to improve their parenting skills. Qualitative and quantitative research on NEWPIN in Australia on families attending NEWPIN for at least 6 months found that mothers reported improved self-esteem and confidence, had made positive changes in themselves and their children and had positive hope for the future, and that children's problem behaviours were significantly reduced. Apart from specifically designated therapeutic interventions, the NEWPIN program includes many self-esteem and confidence-building aspects:courses on public speaking, computer literacy and choral work. In part to protect against media sensationalism, NEWPIN has been assertive in taking control of the process of media involvement in its centres. Media organizations are vetted for their publication history on child protection issues, and on a number of occasions media requests have been turned down on this basis. NEWPIN has sought to balance the desire on the part of its members to have a voice in public debate about child maltreatment issues with the ethical issues involved in such public exposure.

When the authors of this article undertook a study into the way the Australian legal process managed child abuse allegations in custody and access disputes following partnership breakdown in de facto and legal marriages, they encountered what they came to think of as ‘the child abuse and divorce myth’. The myth centred around a belief that child abuse allegations made during or after partnership breakdown were weapons fashioned to gain advantage in the marital war. Therefore, they were not real; therefore, they should not be taken seriously. Despite little previous research, these views were strongly held by both families and professionals. The article examines the myth, believed to be an international phenomenon, and shows, in detail, how the study's findings do not support it. In fact, the findings from this unique study contradict the myth in its totality and in its specific aspects. Thus, it is argued that the myth should be abandoned and a new knowledge base for professional intervention that recognizes the reality of this problem be adopted instead. As a result of the study, a new specialized intervention program for children involved in residence and contact disputes where child abuse was alleged is being trialled in the Family Court of Australia. Hopefully, the introduction of further intervention programmes based on the reality of child abuse in these circumstances rather than on the myth will follow. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child protection services in Australia and elsewhere face increasing internal and external demands. As a response to these pressures, in part at least, services are increasingly implementing some form of risk assessment procedures. This article examines the practice implications of the increasing use of risk assessment instruments in child protection services. It highlights the complexity of the concept of risk as the basis for a future-oriented assessment activity. The authors suggest that this change of time frame (from what has happened to what might happen) may be detrimental to children. Through a critical review of the literature, the authors question whether risk prediction is possible and discuss the limitations of risk assessment instruments which omit some risk factors and may ignore the perspective of the child. The authors challenge the validity of risk assessment instruments in statutory settings and suggest that the protection of the organization may be a major objective in their implementation. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers observation on social issues in Australia from a journalist's perspective. It reports that according to a leading newspaper of Australia, which reported that at least 19 children had died of severe child abuse over the past two years. Those children were under the care and protection of the state's welfare system, the Department of Community Services. Readers of the most influential broadsheet in Australia were assailed with the grim images of tiny children suffered out by horrendous abuse from adults. One such story concerned an 18-month old little girl whose family had already been reported to the department for alleged mistreatment of an elder sister who was punished for dirtying her nappy by being plunged into a bath of scalding water. Another story was related to pain-filled lives of two of the dead children. The two-year old girl who had been thrown out of the window of a fat 19 floors above the ground, by her mother. The 15-month-old baby boy who had been shaken and bashed so severely by his mother's de facto, that his teeth were broken and his lip split.

This article discusses the nature and extent of child homicide and fatal abuse. According to a survey carried out by the charity Kidscape and reported in "The Guardian" newspaper in August 1, 1995, parents rate abduction and assault of their child by a stranger as their greatest fear. Indeed, child abductions have trebled over the past ten years but most are carried out by estranged parents. A child being abducted and murdered by a stranger, although devastating for the families concerned, is in fact an extremely rare phenomenon. Home Office statistics in Great Britain show that over the past ten years, from 1984-1993, there have been 57 children murdered by strangers. This figure is roughly equivalent to the number of filicides each year in Great Britain where children are killed by their parents. Thus, British children are more likely to be killed in their own home by members of their own family than anywhere else or by anyone else in society. A similar point has been made for children in the U.S. and Australia. However, in some developing countries this premise may be incorrect. Perhaps the parental fear of child killings by strangers is out of proportion because of media coverage.

In 1985, Victorian police (Melbourne, Australia) adopted 'Protective Behaviours' and promoted it nationwide as a school-based child protection programme. New Zealand police examined and rejected this 'empowerment' model and, with the cooperation of the Ministry of Education, created their own stage-by-stage school curriculum for children of 5 years upwards. Three hundred and seventy-eight Australian and New Zealand children were interviewed before and after using the programmes, with a 12-month interval to assess retention rates. The New Zealand method was more effective in increasing children's safety knowledge. In both countries, success related to the factors of social class, level of teacher commitment and parent participation in the programme. Descriptions of the two types of programmes are presented to help informed choice regarding child protection programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]