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Australia’s child protection systems are continuing to evolve beyond statutory child protection systems to better prevent, detect and respond to child abuse, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

New research by the Australian Institute of Family Studies finds that children of married couples have higher levels of learning and social and emotional development than children of de-facto parents or single mothers.

A recent study has found a minority of Australian women still report drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes during pregnancy.

A new national survey of past adoption experiences is being conducted to identify the support and service needs of people affected by past adoption policies and practices.

The report Families in Australia 2011: Sticking together in good and tough times has been released as part of National Families Week and draws on recent statistics from a range of sources to provide a picture of Australian families.

Australian children growing up in major cities do better in terms of their physical development and educational outcomes than children living in regional and remote areas, according to an analysis by the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

An analysis of all 190 Family Court relocation judgements that were handed down between 2002 and 2004 found 80 per cent of parents involved in these disputes had high conflict, abusive relationships involving allegations of family violence and prior court proceedings.

Children in separated families still spend considerably more time with their mother than their father despite 2006 family law reforms that promoted shared care arrangements, a new study has found.