Another new feature of the Clearing House site is a listing of over 120 organisations concerned with Child Abuse Prevention, with links to their home pages. Key international organisations, in addition to Australian bodies, are included.
Other features of the site include: the full text of all Clearing House publications; links to related internet sites; dates for forthcoming conferences; and regularly updated bibliographies on child abuse.
Topics for bibliographies include: Child Abuse and the Law; Child Abuse in the Aboriginal Community; Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention; Child Sexual Abuse; Community Attitudes Towards Child Abuse; Curriculum Materials on Child Protection Issues; Cycle of Abuse; Definitions of Child Abuse; Domestic Violence and Child Abuse; Mandatory Reporting; Physical Punishment of Children; Substance Abuse and Child Abuse; Videos on Child Protection; Who Abuses Children?
The National Child Abuse Prevention Programs database has recently increased by nearly 400 programs, largely due to the efforts of the NSW Child Protection Council, which generously provided the Clearing House with a list of programs collected in a recent audit, in addition to access to their client mailing list.
We wish to thank all those who responded to an invitation in the Autumn newsletter
to contribute items and articles of possible interest to readers, and encourage
other would-be contributors to send in short articles, news items, details of
initiatives, meetings, training courses and so forth for consideration by the
Clearing House for publication in forthcoming newsletters.
Despite widespread support for the elimination of child abuse, a great proportion of the population 'tunes out' when the issue of child abuse is raised, in part, because they do not see themselves as the perpetrators of abuse.
Research has shown that the focus of community education campaigns needs to move away from the already well documented and understood extreme forms of child abuse, towards the promotion of appropriate parenting behaviours and positive parenting skills. There is a need to educate parents to the reality that there are many forms and degrees of behaviour that are detrimental to children's welfare, personal safety, health and self-esteem.
It is the 'little things' that parents do, both positive and negative, that have a profound and lasting impact on children, and it is here that extreme forms of child abuse, in the cumulative effects of everyday behaviours and attitudes, have their origin.
In launching this campaign, the Queensland Department of Families, Youth and Community Care acknowledges the importance of families to the community and the breadth of challenges faced by families, among others, in changes to employment and location, differences in cultural experience, pressures placed on adolescent, and in dealing with issues of domestic violence, offering practical support and solutions.
'Think about the little things you do'
Australia is a signatory both to the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection
and Development of Children, and to the United Nations Convention on the Rights
of the Child. Queensland's community awareness strategy is a practical and concrete
expression to the commitment of the Department of Families, Youth and Community
Care to these treaties.
The Campaign aims to reach every parent in Queensland with the message that parents can, with appropriate support, think about the 'little things' they do; to provide practical resources for positive parenting; and to promote the resources through comunity-based and educational organisations, and directly to the parenting public.
The Campaign stems from the creative work undertaken by a national advertising
agency for the National Prevention Strategy for Child Abuse and Neglect. Designed
as a direct response campaign, it encourages parents, community agencies and
educators to seek further information on aspects of parenting. To this end,
a series of booklets based on a successful parenting resources kit developed
in South Australia was developed. Publications available in this series include:
Topics range from practical information on toilet training through to dealing with issues of teenage peer pressure and talking to teenagers about drugs. Additional materials include: two display posters with the message 'little things you can do as a PARENT' and 'little things can mean a lot to a CHILD'; and flyers for distribution to the public. The flyers include a direct response coupon and 1800 freecall contact details.
The mail out provided copies of resources to a significant number of professionals
working directly with parents, with materials distributed to over 9000 government
and non-government organisations in addition to members of the general public.
Flyers were also distributed through a major supermarket chain. Media were selected
to support the Campaign's aim of reaching every Queensland family, with specific
media chosen on the basis of maximising campaign coverage and minimising costs.
The Response
The response to the Campaign has been overwhelming, with a second print run
of all booklets required after only one week. An evaluation was undertaken which
looked at responses to the mailout and including respondents' geographic areas
and the types of booklets requested. Feedback on content was also recorded.
The evaluation showed the Campaign to be a resounding success with extremely
positive feedback from parents. The Campaign reached most parts of Queensland
and saturated the southern areas.
Overall, the Campaign represents an attempt to provide guidance and support for parents concerned with day-to-day parenting. It is expected that the evaluation will promote the next stage of the Campaign, which will address areas of education, knowledge and skills development for training institutions to include in their curriculum, along with 'staying safe' programs for children.
With the aim of bringing the Arabic community and mainstream services together, the kit has two sections, best used in conjunction.
The first is a four part series on two audio tapes in Arabic that target the Arabic community. It aims to make parents more aware of parenting issues, development of children, abuse isues and alternative methods of upbringing. The audio tapes use children's voices, laymen's opinions as well as medical and legal advice. Clients can take them home and listen to them.
The second part of the kit is a 25-minute video in English, addressing some of the difficulties that mainstream services have had in dealing with Arabic clients. The video describes Arabic culture and religion, then gives practical strategies for workers. Family support methods are discussed by mainstream workers, professionals, ethno-specific workers and members of the community.
A resource booklet in English accompanies the audio tapes and video, and includes a short history of the issues as well as trigger questions related to the presented material.
Intended as a training tool for both government and non-government organisations, the kit may be purchased from the Australian Arabic Welfare Council, PO Box 1103 Bankstown, NSW 2200. Tel: (02) 9709 4333; fax: (02) 9709 2928. Cost is $49.95 and includes postage and handling.
This may happen for different reasons. The medical practitioner may be reluctant to diagnose child abuse, due to a lack of experience in this area, or the rural magistrate may be inexperienced in dealing with child abuse cases and thus demand a higher level of proof than is required in the metropolitan children's courts.
The new Children's Hospital in Sydney has recognised the need to support rural child protection staff by commencing a child protection Teleconference service. The service provides access by rural child protection staff to a panel of experts who can be brought together at short notice to discuss a case. Access to the service is through the coordinator, Dr Michael Ryan, a consultant paediatrician with over twenty years experience in child abuse and neglect and experience as a senior medical adviser to the Department of Community Services.
Many of the calls to the service can be addressed by simple discussion of the case; more complex cases are taken to the Child Protection Unit's intake meeting for further discussion. If the Unit accepts the case, further information is requested from the referring case worker and a panel is selected. The makeup of the panel is then determined according to the particular experience and expertise of Unit members.
For example, in the case of an infant with multiple fractures, a panel was selected that included an orthopaedic surgeon and a radiologist, in addition to the core membership of the teleconferences, which includes Dr Ryan, Dr Suzette Booth (Head of the Child Protection Unit), a social worker from the Child Protection Unit and a consultant from the Department of Psychological Medicine.
Other cases may need to have an emphasis on the legal issues specific to the case. To this end, the Senior Legal Officer in the Department of Community Services has participated in several teleconferences.
In order to ensure continuity of care, the referring community services staff are encouraged to involve a representative of the local child and family health team, who would be involved with counselling or support services with the family following the court process.
Following the teleconference, a report with recommendations is sent to the conference participants. The report is written by the coordinator, who can be called upon if necessary to give evidence in any subsequent court action.
The teleconference service can also be used as a follow-up support service to staff working with families who have been identified in the hospital as being at risk.
As new technologies become available, it may be possibile to use video conferencing as the primary communication tool, thus leading to a more personalised service.
Access to the service is made by contacting Dr Michael Ryan on (02) 9845 2493, through the switchboard (02) 9845 0000 Pager number 6467, or by leaving a message with the secretary of the Child Protection Unit on (02) 9845 2434.
Other contact details: Dr Michael Ryan, Child Protection Unit, The New Children's
Hospital, PO Box 3515, Parramatta NSW 2124. Fax: (02) 9845 2495.
The Ethnic Child Care, Family and Community Services Co-operative (ECCFCSC) is a community-based organisation promoting the policies underpinning Access and Equity and Multiculturalism and encouraging the implementation of these policies in Children's, Aged and Disability services across New South Wales.
'The myth that opinions about child abuse will vary depending on the cultural
background does not seem to be true in the offence of child sexual assault.
Intervention within a family should not be inhibited or delayed by cultural
considerations but moulded within a cultural framework so that intervention
is meaningful and within the control of the family'. (p.113)
However, it needs to be acknowledged that there are particular issues relevant
to ethnic communities which often prevent abuse from being reported, as well
as cultural differences in child rearing that may result in misguided allegations
of abuse.
This article will attempt to provide some background about why non-English speaking
background communities are reluctant to notify of abuse, the sorts of aggravating
factors for these communities that may result in abuse, and effective prevention
strategies that may be used in communities to inform people from a non-English
speaking background about child abuse and parenting.
This is despite the fact that people from such communities comprise approximately
22.97 per cent of the total New South Wales population (Commonwealth Department
of Health and Family Services 1997). However, it must be noted that there is
a lack of consistent data collection for child abuse in non-English speaking
background families, as recognised in the Department's Review of the NSW
Children (Care and Protection) Act (Department of Community Services (NSW)
1996).
We cannot conclude that there is less child abuse occurring in non-English speaking
background communities. However, we may say that factors exist which may result
in fewer reported incidences of abuse.
Language
When families migrate to Australia they are not informed about Australian
child protection laws. They do not have access to simple translated information
about what constitutes child abuse in Australia (which could be very different
to their home country), nor what can be done about it. There is also insufficient
awareness in non-English speaking background communities about relevant support
agencies (including ethno-specific services) which can be contacted for assistance.
Fear of authorities
Many migrants have had negative experiences in their home countries with authorities.
This may create a misconception about the role of the NSW Department of Community
Services in protecting children. The Department has actually identified this
as 'the main barrier for the Department in assisting [...] families' (Department
of Community Services (NSW) 1995).
Cathy Want (1996) argues that:
'For many people this high level of state intervention is threatening to
their family lives. Added to this are the many stories carried with them from
their country of origin about the power of governments and stories abounding
about the trauma families experience when the state intervenes' (p.112).
It is not surprising, therefore, that there is a reluctance to contact the Department
about child protection issues. Permanent residents or refugees awaiting citizenship
may not report abuse or maltreatment for fear of non-receipt of citizenship.
'Family name '
Ethnic communities tend to be well networked and close-knit. There is traditionally
a strong emphasis on morality within the family, and maintaining one's standing
in the community. Najet Elshaikh (1996), of Dympa House Incest Counselling and
Resource Centre, argues that:
'There is [...] often a severe penalty imposed for shaming the family through
disclosure of sexual assault that can further reinforce secrecy and a sense
of responsibility for others ... anything that a child does is seen as a reflection
on the family name which must stay intact at all costs.' (p.55)
Maintenance of the 'family name' is therefore important in relation to identity
and survival in the community.
Fear of partner/spouse
In some cultures, men are considered superior to women and children, and are
the ultimate authority in the family, especially in regard to the discipline
of children. Women of such cultures may consequently fear reprimand if they
tell of abuse at home. This is exacerbated in non-English speaking background
families who are not informed of their rights and of the role of community services.
Vivi Germanos-Koutsounadis (1996), Executive Director of ECCFCSC argues that:
'The girls and women must submit to this [male] authority as it is their
duty to bear whatever their husband, father, brother says as they are dependent
on the family for all their needs. If the mother knows about the abuse of the
child then she is afraid to speak up because she is intimidated, threatened,
by the male.' (p.121)
Fear that children may be taken away
A lack of knowledge about the role of the Department of Community Services,
and a fear that one's ethnicity will be used against a parent seeking assistance
with child protection and may result in the removal of their child or children,
may combine to cause reluctance in people of non-English speaking backgrounds
to seek help.
Lack of access to child care (formal or informal) or insufficient knowledge about community services, in combination with a lack of information about alternative forms of disciplining children and parenting guidance, compounds these problems.
A further related problem that can arise as a product of migration is cultural
difference leading to intergenerational conflict. Young people raised in Australia
(either Australian-born or who have migrated when young with their family) frequently
reject the traditional cultural values of their parents. This can be a significant
source of discontent in some families, and may lead to tense relationships between
parents and children and a desire by young people to leave home.
Child rearing practices
Conflicts over child rearing practices in an ethnic community that would be
considered child abuse in the broader community, reinforce the need for discussion
about what constitute's child abuse. The issue involves an understanding of
cultural variations in child rearing practices, as well as different perspectives
on discipline and abuse. The Ethnic Child Care Development Unit produced a Child
Rearing Practices Kit in 1992 to address the lack of literature in this
area.
Knowledge of different child rearing practices is especially important for people
who work with children, as workers may see incidences of what they consider
to be child abuse, but which constitute the cultural norm in a particular ethnic
community. Two examples are the Vietnamese practice of 'coin rubbing' on a sick
child, which can result in reddened skin, and the traditional Greek practice
of not permitting a child to touch water (and therefore wash) one week prior
to and two days following christening.
Taking these factors into account when resolving child abuse issues will assist
all parties involved. In some cases, it may be appropriate to involve the extended
family in counselling/mediation. In ethnic communities, the extended family
has a very important role to play in the care of children; this role can be
best ascertained by speaking to the client.
It is also important to consider culture and gender issues in the use of interpreters. When using interpreters, for example, it may be necessary to employ a worker who is from the same culture as the client - not just someone who speaks the same language - because of regional conflict between cultures. Similarly, a woman might not want a man to interpret for her, either because of religious beliefs or because the alleged perpetrator of the offence is male.
This situtation has been acknowledged in the Federal Government publication, The Proposed Plan of Action for the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of Children from NESB produced as part of the National Prevention Strategy for Child Abuse and Neglect. Here it is stated:
'Information about child abuse and neglect, and how it can be prevented,
is needed by parents, community leaders and other people of influence, and people
working with NESB communities, such as grant in aid workers, community health
workers, child care workers and teachers' (Commonwealth Department of Health
and Family Services 1996, p.22).
This excellent document includes strategies to target all areas of the community
in combating child abuse, including at the pre-migration level, for new parents
of non-English speaking backgrounds (e.g. at hospital ante- and post-natal classes),
and cross-cultural training for workers in mainstream services. The recommendations
of this report are yet to be implemented.
The NSW Child Protection Council has identified the 'need for workers to be
aware of the cultural sensitivities of different NESB groups and of the fact
that people of NESB are not a homogenous group' (1995, p.37). This is particularly
relevant given that there is a distinct lack of understanding by some child
protection workers of the different child rearing practices of people from ethnic
backgrounds and how these practices have come about (Ethnic Child Care Development
Unit 1996, p.83)
Primary intervention
The ECCFCSC believes that there is a need for more primary prevention programs
for ethnic communities and for workers. The Co-operative currently runs parenting
workshops for ethnic communities which include a session on child protection,
usually facilitated by the NSW Department of Community Services. This helps
to break down a perceived fear of government departments.
These type of workshops cover parenting concerns such as alternative forms of
punishment and discipline, and are helpful both to parents and carers. The Co-operative
strongly recommends the adoption of such programs by all local councils, child
protection agencies, Family Support Services, Women's Services and other organisations
working with abused children and their families.
The involvement of ethnic communities in information campaigns is an effective
and appropriate way of conveying information to people of non-English speaking
backgrounds because of their 'connectedness' and capacity to disseminate information.
Ethnic media (radio, newsprint, community and pay television), in particular,
is an important source of information; the use of high profile and important
community figures (such as religious leaders or politicians) as role models
can also be effective. These measures would be more likely to reach people of
non-English speaking backgrounds than mainstream campaigns targeted at the community
in general.
There is great diversity in and between different cultural groups in Australia.
As such we cannot generalise about the child rearing and child maltreatment
concerns that may arise in particular ethnic communities.
This article is a guide to some of the factors which may be relevant when working with families and children of various cultural backgrounds. It is important to examine the individual circumstances of each case; culture is not an excuse for inappropriate behaviour, but taking into consideration specific cultural issues will not only enhance case management, but lead to a more collaborative partnership between professionals and families from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services (1996), Proposed Plan of Action for the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect of Children from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds, The Department, Canberra.
Department of Community Services (NSW) (1997), Consultation with NESB Communities on the Children (Care and Protection) Act, Ethnic Affairs Commission, 8 April.
Department of Community Services (NSW) (1996), Review of the Children (Care and Protection) Act 1997, Discussion Paper 1, p.16.
Department of Community Services (NSW) (1995), Strategic Directions in Child Protection - Draft, Sydney, p.13.
Elshaikh, Najet (1996), 'Working around the issue of access to NESB Women', in Many Voices, Different Stories, Conference proceedings, Fairfield Multicultural Family Planning, Liverpool Printing Service, Sydney.
Ethnic Child Care Development Unit (1996), Child Rearing Practices Kit.
Germanos-Koutsounadis, Vivi (1996), 'Speaking out about cultural diversity in sexual assault - a NESB perspective', in Many Voices, Different Stories, Conference proceedings, Fairfield Multicultural Family Planning, Liverpool Printing Service, Sydney.
Want, Cathy (1996), 'Issues regarding clients from NESB', in Many Voices, Different Stories, Conference proceedings, Fairfield Multicultural Family Planning, Liverpool Printing Service, Sydney.
Themes include: adolescent issues, such as higher risk students, homelessness, risk taking behaviour, and peer relationships; legal issues, such as mandatory reporting of child abuse.
Contact: Conference Coordinator, Royal College of Nursing, 1 Napier Close, Deakin ACT 2600. Phone: (06) 282 5633. Fax: (06) 282 3565. Email: conf@rcna.org.au
19 October 1997
Barcelona, Spain
'Children are Unbeatable! Ending all Physical Punishment
of Children in Europe'
Taking place immediately before ISPCAN's 6th European Congress on Child Abuse, this one-day international seminar will bring together individuals and organisations working in Europe to end the physical punishment of children through education and legal reform.
Contact: EPOCH-WORLDWIDE, 77 Holloway Road, London N7 8JZ, UK. Phone: +44 171 700 0627. Fax: +44 171 700 1105.
19-22 October 1997
Barcelona, Spain
What Place is There for Child Welfare in Tomorrow's Europe?: 6th European Congress
on Child Maltreatment
Held under the auspices of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), the VI European Congress on Child Maltreatment will provide an international venue for proposing new and advanced policies for situations created by changing families, new frontiers and migrations, together with socioeconomic changes taking place in Europe. These new guidelines will further the protection and welfare of children in the family and in the community, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Contact: Secretaria Organizativa, BAC, Calle Valencia, 359, Barcelona 08009, Spain. Phone: +34 3 457 4555. Fax: +34 3 457 4579
20-23 October 1997
Adelaide, SA
'Dialogue, Dreaming, Decisions': Sixth Australasian
Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
This Conference is being organised under the auspices of the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN). The Conference program will facilitate debate on current issues for child abuse prevention and intervention. Delegates will develop creative goals and visions for responding to children and their families into the 21st Century. Concepts of dreaming are given added dimension through embracing Aboriginal culture.
Contact: Festival City Conventions, PO Box 949, Kent Town SA 5071. Phone: (08) 8363 1307. Fax: (08) 8363 1604. Email: fcceaton@ozemail.com.au
24-25 October 1997
Amsterdam
'Child Health and Child Labour'
This conference is being organised by the Netherlands Foundation for International Child Health and the Foundation for International Research on the Exploitation of Working Children.
Contact: NFICH, PO Box 19009, 3501 CA Utrecht, Netherlands. Phone: +31 302 369 878. Fax: +31 302 300 019. Email: nfich@worldonline.nl
24-26 October 1997
Adelaide, SA
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health National
Conference
This conference offers a good balance between research, theory and practice, and will provide sessions of interest to early childhood educators, court counsellors, doctors, midwives, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and others. Keynote speakers include Dr Martha Erickson (USA), Professor Marinus van Ijzendoorn (The Netherlands), Dr Hisako Watanabe (Japan) and Dr Bruce Tonge (Australia).
Contact: Conference Secretariat, Elliservice Convention Management, PO Box 753, Kent Town SA 5071. Phone: (08) 8332 4068. Fax: (08) 8364 1968. Email: ellis@dove.mtx.net.au
25-26 October 1997
Brisbane, Qld
'Living, Risking and Loving It!': Protective Behaviours National Conference
The conference objectives are: to provide information on resources available in the teaching of the Protective Behaviours Program; to discuss challenges in the implementation of the Program; to network with people who have similar visions of the Program; to challenge the community to take action with or on behalf of persons who are the victims of abuse and violence within the community; and to be innovative in the use of non-violent interventions in the prevention, detection and intervention of violence or abusive situations.
Contact: Protective Behaviours Consultancy Group (Qld), PO Box 606, Brisbane Roma Street, Qld 4003. Phone: (07) 3278 2214.
1-5 December 1997
Nairobi, Kenya
'Salient Factors that Impede the Implementation of the UN Convention on the
Rights of the Child in Africa': Third African Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect
The African Network for the Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and
Neglect (ANPPCAN) announces this Third African Conference on Child Abuse and
Neglect.
Contact: Stephen Mugambi, Third African Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, c/o ANPPCAN Regional Office, PO Box 71420, Nairobi Kenya. Phone: +254 2 722496/726794. Fax: +254 2 721999. Email: anppcan@arcc.or.ke
27-30 January 1998
San Diego, California
San Diego Conference on Responding to Child Maltreatment
This conference will address issues in the field of child protection such as prevention, investigation, diagnosis, treatment or prosecution of all forms of child maltreatment and family violence.
Contact: Robin VanderLaan, Center for Child Protection MC 5016, Children's Hospital, 3020 Children's Way, San Diego CA 92123 4282 USA. Fax: +619 974 8018. Phone: +619 974 8017 or +619 495 4940.
19-20 February 1998
Melbourne, Vic.
'Difficult Issues Facing Parents in Today's Society': Third National Parenting
Conference
Hosted by Parenting Adolescents Australia, this conference will focus on parenting in the 1990s and beyond. Abstracts related to the conference theme are to be submitted by 31 October 1997. The conference committee will be looking at creative and positive ways of addressing the issues that families can face including drugs, suicide, mental illness and trauma.
Contact: The Conference Secretary, Parenting Adolescents Australia , PO Box 1141, Collingwood Vic 3066. Phone: (03) 9415 8700. Fax: (03) 9415 7733.
27-30 May 1998
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
'Investing in care': Eleventh National Child and Youth Care Conference
The future of services for children and youth in the next century and beyond will depend on the investment made in them now. This conference is intended to encompass all areas of the field of child and youth care including child day care, early intervention, child life programs, school-based care, residential care, youth services, foster care, child protection, education, health and mental health services directed to children and youth.
Contact: Eleventh National Child and Youth Care Conference, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS Canada B3M 2J6. Phone: +902 457 6587. Fax: +902 445 3960. Email: Child.Youth.Care.Conference@MSVU.Ca
6-10 September 1998
Auckland, NZ
'Protecting Children: Innovation and Inspiration': Twelfth International Congress
on Child Abuse and Neglect
The Conference theme has been chosen to emphasise the new directions that child abuse prevention is taking and must take to deal with what has been termed a crisis in the care of children. The conference mission is to promote the wellbeing of children and prevent abuse and neglect, as part of a New Zealand and international strategy to enable children's healthy development physically, mentally, socially and spiritually.
Contact: International Society for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), PO Box 90 040, Auckland, New Zealand. Phone: +64 9 379 7440. Fax: +64 9 307 0599.
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