Child Sexual Abuse: Contextual Aspects, Effects, and Professional Responsibilities

This report discusses the contextual aspects of child sexual abuse, its effects on health, education, and well-being, and the role of professionals in protecting the child. It also identifies ethical dilemmas and complexities that could arise for the professionals involved in responding to the situation.

Running Head: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s Note

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Describe the contextual aspects of the chosen case study that may contribute to the
maltreatment of the child, and the possible effects on their health, education and
well-being (for example poverty, social displacement and disadvantage, social
constructions based on race, religion or region). Include references to relevant
legislation, policy, practice and literature. (600 words)
Maltreatment occurring in childhood can have long-term implications in the later stages
of life. This report was written to present the long-term side effects of maltreatment in Diana’s
childhood and adulthood.
Any significant risk of intentional or unintentional emotional or sexual harm caused by
the parents or any known people is child maltreatment. In this case study, the subject Diana will
be experiencing many other such forms of abuses. Approximately 2.5 million adults have
experienced sexual abuse under the age of 15. Most of the times the sexual perpetrator is not a
family member. Emotional abuse is common in at least 1 in 4 women below the age of 15. To
add further, slightly more than 1 in 5 clients seek specialist homelessness services due to the
reason of being a victim of family abuse, in the range of 0-9 years of age (Australian Institute of
Health and Welfare, 2019,).
Unsupported parents, housing instability, unwanted conception, drug and alcohol abuse,
abuse scenario, illiteracy, social boycott, parental mental health issues, lack of parenting
awareness and neighborhood disadvantages are the major reasons for the cause of child
maltreatment; this is prominent in families involved with child protection services. Other than
that, there are environmental factors that also lead to the issue, which is economic insufficiency,
family violence and multiples stress factors. In addition to these factors, child related factors also

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play a role in child maltreatment that is low attachment between child and parents (Australian
Institute of Family Studies, 2010). In Australia, mental health issue and substance abuse are the
cause of 1 in 3 clients being a victim of family abuse and domestic violence (Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare, 2018).
Child maltreatment leads to significant negative consequences that are self-harm, anxiety
and depression, physical damage such as trauma. Other effects include sleep disorder, learning
incapability, deficit disorder in learning and memory difficulties, loss of focus, mental disorders,
social anxiety, and poor academic grades. To point out more issues, smoking cigarettes, drinking
alcohol and drug abuse are also the results of child maltreatment. Dianna, having a history of
child maltreatment is a target of health problems that include diabetes mellitus, eating disorder,
obesity, headaches, gynecological complications, heart disease and stroke. Child maltreatment
also causes mental health issues that include personality disorders such as post-traumatic stress
syndrome, psychosis and dis-associative disorders. Women also complain of general health and
bodily pain who gp through sexual abuse in their childhood (Australian Institute of Family
Studies, 2014).
Child maltreatment has more negative consequences that follow to adulthood such as
mental disorder, homelessness, aggressive nature, anti-social activities, which includes
criminality, suicidal tendencies, engaging in sexual assaults, victimisation and gambling. History
of maltreatment can affect the adulthood of children, showing negative results of sexual abuse
and emotional negligence. In 224 studies, a relationship was found amongst child negligence,
sexual abuse and substance abuse problems in women (Australian Institute of Family Studies,
2014).

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When all of these points are taken under consideration, then it is to be seen that the case
study, Dianna can have intimacy issues in her adulthood. Instability in her intimate relationships
can increase. In addition, a risk of sexual negativity and less preference in intimacy will be
evident in her married life (Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2013).
Identify and articulate the role and responsibilities of the different professionals
who would need to coordinate support to protect the child/young person in the
chosen case study in the short to medium term. In your answer, refer to laws and
policies these professionals work within. (600 words)
Australian societies have a major concern, which is child maltreatment. Diana and her
family might be a target of poverty, marital conflict, boycott from social support, drug and
alcohol addiction or parents who have from mental illness. Dianna may personally experience
mental health issues, as it is prevalent amongst children experiencing maltreatment (Australian
Institute of Family Studies, 2014). This report mentions Dianna and her family because they are
more likely to be involved in child protection services or professional services. In addition, it
also talks about the responsibilities of the professional workers of Australia who are helping
Dianna and her family to get easy access to information, services and support regarding Dianna’s
maltreatment and her parental issues.
Dianna and her family have all the rights they need to get the support. The professional
workers who are helping them need to know the root cause of the problems leading to
maltreatment. They should also include the discussion of parenting issues, kids and parent rights
and encourage the progression of support deserved by Dianna and her family. Parents suffering
from these problems are in the need of help, but they are hesitant in asking for any support for

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family abuse issues as reported by the Queensland Government. They might also be afraid of any
intervention done by child protection services and the necessities of any legislation, as they are
afraid to lose custody of Dianna (Connolly & Harms, 2013). The professional workers should
find a solution to these problems by creating space for respectful relation between Dianna and
her parents. In addition to that should also help them in getting access to high quality
preventative intervention that supports families facing possible child protection issues (Bland,
Renouf & Tullgren, 2010).
In Australia, state and territory governments look after the statutory child protection
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019). Dianna, who is under the risk of being
maltreated or harmed is the responsibility of child protection department. They also guide her
parents who cannot provide enough care or safety for her. Moreover, risk assessment tools have
to be used by school personnel, social workers and health practitioners who are helping Dianna
and her parents. They should be reporting any form of child maltreatment or family concerns
such as poverty or social boycott.
The child protection services are responsible for getting all the incoming reports, which
will determine if any action is required. Reports of child maltreatment should be reported as the
rate of children receiving child protection is going higher. In 2017-2018, approximately 159,000
children under the range of 0-17 years of age received child protection services. Early
intervention and family support services are required to be seen by professional workers to
prevent Dianna and her family from entering and re-entering child protection services. It is also
necessary to apply strategies to support Dianna and her family to get better access to many other
types of child and family services (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).

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The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) reported that the focus is needed
from professional workers for Dianna and her family rights to advocate for the social justice they
deserve. To give an example, Dianna and her family might live in poverty, which is the reason
for child maltreatment and domestic violence and the cause for the protection of Dianna.
However, the professional workers need to work upon providing help and guidance in assessing
measures so that they understand the issue by comparing the lives of Dianna and all the members
of the society.
Identify and explain any ethical dilemmas or complexities that could arise for the
professionals involved in responding to the chosen case study situation. Based on
your learning and reading in the subject, how might the issues you have identified
be approached or solved? (600 words)
When there is a conflict between an individual’s professional duties and values, it is
difficult to choose one, and that is called ethical dilemma. In this case, professional workers are
not able to decide between their inclinations to protect Dianna and parent’s right to
confidentiality or save Dianna from maltreatment (Reamer, 2013).
It is a common issue to face ethical dilemmas when dealing with Dianna and her parents.
To give an example, the law implements professional workers to report all suspected child
maltreatments. Ethical issues come in question when Dianna’s maltreatment occurs. Also, the
breach of mandatory reporting may come into action as Dianna, and her parents got support
previously from the Child protection services. The professional workers get into ethical dilemma
because they cannot come to a decision as to report the suspected past of Dianna and her possible
maltreatment or breaking the confidence by reporting based on their doubts. That can destroy

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trust between Dianna and her parents, with this the rate of children getting child protection
services are going up, but the number of unreported child treatment is also going up. Dianna and
her parents might request the professionals to keep their issues as confidential, which will be
counted as unreported.
Besides, the Royal Commission into institutional responses to Child Sexual Abuse
reported that the professional workers are not aware of dealing with child maltreatment. They
also believe that professional workers should be getting the required training and further
education about their mandatory reporting obligations, specifically when historical child abuse is
considered. It is necessary to report abuse of any child who is under 18 and is currently receiving
treatment or has suffered from abuse in the past and needs intervention now (Brell, Advisor &
Law, 2016).
Codes of practice and codes of ethics are important when dealing with such cases and
dilemmas. The professional workers should be guided to solve these dilemmas and how to
follow moral reference points. Then they can decide on their own with the sense of right and
wrong, based on their values like ‘integrity’, ‘social justice’, ‘self-determination’ and
‘competence’. They can also use consequentialism that determines the rightness, which decides
the consequences are favorable or not (Parrott, 2014). It is necessary for professional workers to
consider not making their decisions on the above theory only. However, it is important to use
codes of practice when facing ethical dilemmas. Codes of practice improves the trust between
parents and the professional workers because due to that theory Dianna and her family are
notified about what to expect from the professional workers.
In addition, code of ethics and codes of practice helps the professional workers in
respecting different aspects of an individual needs such as Dianna and her parent’s dignity,

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value, goals, preferences and the support, need and respect for their rights and self-
determination. When dealing with ethical dilemmas, a professional should be lead forward to a
beneficial course of action, which is lawful and under all the amendments of the government.

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References
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