Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse and remained reports marked Physical stable for Sexual Abuse. increase (4,325 to 6,817); Substantiation increases are positive and may Sexual Abuse reports increase indicate more resources (2,268 to 3,079). available for investigations, and Substantiations increased over the possibly improved three year period: reporter practice (further research required to Emotional (299 to 563); explore reasons). Neglect (608 to 1,007); The duty to report failure to attend an education Physical (946 to 1,315), facility gave a higher profile to educational neglect. More active Sexual (632 to 714). engagement between schools and the Department regarding educational neglect may be associated with the increase in substantiations of neglect in this period.
Physical reports marked increase (4,325 to 6,817); Sexual Abuse reports increase (2,268 to 3,079). Substantiations increased over the three year period: Emotional (299 to 563); Neglect (608 to 1,007); Physical (946 to 1,315), Sexual (632 to 714). Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse and remained stable for Sexual Abuse. Substantiation increases are positive and may indicate more resources available for investigations, and possibly improved reporter practice (further research required to explore reasons). The duty to report failure to attend an education facility gave a higher profile to educational neglect. More active engagement between schools and the Department regarding educational neglect may be associated with the increase in substantiations of neglect in this period.
child-abuse-and-neglect-v3-nsw.docx