Minimizing Child Abuse: Role of Social Workers in Australia

This essay discusses the issue of child abuse in Australia and the role of social workers in minimizing it. It covers the types of abuse, its impact on children, and the interventions that can be taken to prevent it. The essay emphasizes the need for a holistic approach that addresses the mental, social, emotional, and physical needs of the child. It also highlights the importance of promoting a better understanding of child development and realistic expectations for child behavior.

Children Abuse

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Childhood is considered to be essential time which are important for healthy
development and also attaining learning and also establishing the several relation blocks for their
coming well-being. According to studies, it has been considered as childhood is a also a time of
vulnerability, at the time of children's childhood they have multiple rights to live in a safety and
also be protected from any specific negative and harmful influence as well as child abuse.
(Spivak, 2019) It has been studied that affirmative beginning in children's life can help children
to reach out their full potential and capabilities, whereas a poor beginning can increase the
prospects of adverse outcomes along with wide as well as long reaching circumstances for a
children, society and also potential future generations. This essay underpins the ways in which
social workers can support in minimising the violence in child abuse and along side it may
underpins evidence theoretical aspects of the issue.
MAIN BODY
The studies conclude that there are number of abuse which can occur within domestic
sphere with children.(Fowler & Vallett, 2021) Within Australia, as per the authorities explanation
in respect to domestic violence as well as abuse, is an incident of controlling, coercive,
threatening, violence as well as behaviour, and addition to this, children who have age 16 or
more than 16, and have been, sexually active any individual or by their family member termed to
be child abuse. The abuse encompass but has not limited. (The Effects of Child Abuse and
Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviour
Problems, 2010) As per the data it has been determined that each and every year there are 3.3
million to 10 million children are termed to exposed to the domestic violence at their home.
(Abbas & Jabeen, 2020) It has investigated the occurrence of child abuse has been recorded as
900,000 children that re termed to be classified as being maltreated by their own parents and also
in some caretakers. (The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on
Adolescent Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviour Problems, 2010) It has been considered
that there are various type of family violence that have directly encountered child abuse which
have been exposed to domestic violence and also child abuse. Several of studies have
demonstrated that children who have exposure of child abuse can face adverse effects on their
psychological as well as behavioural outcomes. (Yoon, 2020)

As per the research, child who encounter child abuse are termed to be subjected various
internalizing as well as externalizing behaviour problems. (Abbas & Jabeen, 2020) Such as
research represents that abused children can exhibits a various problem which are in context of
psychological issues which includes depression, anxieties and other internalizing risk factors. In
which the externalizing behaviour that can child shows are delinquency as well as violence
perpetration and so on. In addition to this, exposure of domestic violence can also involve linked
with risk factors which are associated low self-esteem, social withdrawal, depression and also
anxieties. Also, in children it can promote aggression and violence. (Fowler & Vallett, 2021) As
per the recent meta analysis study, identified that there are different kind of abuse and neglect
that are must to reported. (Jenny & Metz, 2020) While in some jurisdictions, such as NSW, NT.
It is necessary to report all five types of abuse such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional,
neglect as well as exposure to concerning family violence. In most of jurisdictions the legislation
are generally determined that, except for sexual abuse, it is the only cases of significant abuse as
well as neglect has been reported. (Abbas & Jabeen, 2020) Studies confirmed that a sexual abuse
should always develop a suspicion of important harm, in such applicable definitions of all
impression of particularly sexual abuse that should be reported in higher authorities.
It has been discovered by the reports that a common assumption id considered to be
important requirement, the legislative grounds for child protections services intervention as well
as research classification of such abusive and also neglectful behaviours are termed to equal and
same. The laws also provide description of various types of situation that should be reported to
statutory child protection services.(Paglia, 2018) As per the report it has been considered that the
legislative grounds in respect of child protection services intervention as well as classification of
research of abusive and neglectful behavioural pattern, as they are eligible to be charge
Studies reported that insufficient attention which has been provided within child abuse
literature to the theoretical development and construction of understanding of the problem
(Pomeranz, 2018) Although, this has termed to be in a part of along with fascinating by other
social workers with the bewildering of various physical as well as psychological manifestations
of several issues that are characterized as straightly as child abuse.
The report state that insufficient theory base that has contribute additionally in the failure
of programs, that were considered to treat child abuse than the lacking which were found to be in

the interventions and also availability in the resources. (Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base
and Future Research Needs, 2020) It has been determined by several studies that an adequate
better understanding of aetiology is considered to be important that can help in focusing
intervention efforts where they will be determined to be more effective and efficient.
As per the studies the explanation proffered for child maltreatment is that child who have
encountered violent as well as abusive childhood are more likely to grow up to become child as
well as spouse abusers as compared to individual who have encountered little similar events or no
violence in their childhood years. As per the social learning theory of child abuse determined as
learned behaviour. (Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs, 2020) It
has been considered that violence in one's individual family of orientation is appeared to be
predictive of issue i.e. violence in one's individual family of procreation. ( Roesler, 2018)
Whereas, environmental theory posits that child abuse can lead to child experience social as well
as environmental stress. The stressful life events and stressful conditions like poverty,
unemployment, housing and also violent social milieu that are termed to be prominent factors
within theoretical orientation as well.
The clinical literature of child abuse consists number of assumptions in regards with
child abuse for mainly victim as well as his or her family as well as society. (Child Abuse: The
Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs, 2020) For example, studies assert that the risk
associated factors in respect to child abuse can be expanded harm to the victim, in the case, if the
child which has been physically abused, is returned to their folks in the absence of intervention,
in which it has been found that there were 5% of children were found to be lead to rate of
mortality and also other wee found to be 35% were seriously injured. (Spivak, 2019)
Furthermore, it has been also discovered that the untreated families are most likely to tends to
raise children who grow as murders and also juvenile delinquents as well as in some cases batters
of the upcoming generation as well. As these cases can derive concerns on the part of clinicians
in the part which has been recognize by the clinical cases of child abuse, the parents of child are
most likely to encounters such cases at the time of their childhood. (Straus, 2017)
In such cases this chain occurred from generation to generation. It has also found to be parents
who usually result to child abuse, they are found to be addicted with drugs and also substance
users. (Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs, 2020) these concerns

are termed to be provided support by psychiatric workers who work on the behavioural patterns
of child and their parents while administration of cases.
With context of role of social worker, the main of social worker is to making each and
every child safe, as these are the key tasks, which has been considered as main objective in the
role of social workers along with child's parents to encourage and motivating them to observe
world in a various perspectives and also how their children developed their self in a safe and
healthy environment. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse,
2015)The considered approach can facilitate and motivate parents to change their condition in
their family which are influencing negative impact on their children. The social worker
profession is the commitment which is embedded with a promise to maximise the well being of
individuals as well as society. It is determined that individual as well as societal well-being that
underpins through socially inclusive communities that can also emphasis principles in regards
with social justice as well as respect for each human dignity and also rights of human as well. It
also includes the right to freedom from terror as well as intimidation within society. (Tobin &
Delaney, 2019)
In Australia, studies concluded that AASW ( Australian Association of Social Workers) along
with 6,000 members, many individual are also involved in the delivery of intervention of
domestic and family violence services within a range of field of practice. (The role of social
workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015) It can help in seeking empowerment
that can help to take control of their lives and more beyond the adverse effects of domestic and
also family violence
It has been determined that AASW members also work along with children and all group
age communities in order to prevent family violence and can help them to assist families to halt
the exposure of child abuse and also physical abuse. It has been also found that the role of social
work also committed with intervening before occurrence of family as well as domestic violence.
As per the studies, it has been determined that the issue of domestic violence is considered to be
not just simple and it widely requires a lot attention to, in order to act effective social worker are
most likely to select holistic approx. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to
domestic abuse, 2015) The holistic approach is considered to be work on the overall aspects of
an individuals. As its is also vital for social workers to understand what an effective response that
can be effective while addressing such issues of children.

The administration should be conducted as addressing mental needs, social, emotional as
well as physical needs of child. As it has been studied by number of studies that child abuse can
negatively impact on individuals overall well-being. There are several if strategy be concluded s
improving parenting skills as it can help a child to enhance child development as well as well-
being an also it can also relate to feverfew child will encounter emergency room visits as well.
(The role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015) Promoting a better
understanding of child development and also more realistic expectations,w which should be
determined for the child behaviour and also increased stimulating of atmosphere of household.
The child outcome that can be considered by this strategy, it can help in lowering hospitalizations
rate of children. (Tsur, 2020)
Another working area of social workers that can be considered that decrease the use of
carpal punishment, as it can be helpful in lowering injury as well as mortality rates and also will
be efficient ton lower child accident rate. The effective strategy that can be work on can also be
considers as increasing the use of community services as well as enhancing the social support for
children. The social workers should also considered that the young parents there should be less
rates of widely pregnancies, as it might help in fostering abilities that can help in recognizing
dangerous as well as potential risk associated factors and also situations. (The role of social
workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015) The social workers should also
termed to develop the use of self protective behaviours in children that can assist them to protect
their-selves, if it is needed at any time as well. In addition to this, the main intervention on which
a social workers should work on reducing family stress, as per the studies, it has been found that
as it can facilitate reducing domestic violence along with children. (Yoon, 2020).
According to the reports it has been that interacting with children may also affect the
child development. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015)
It may also affect the child behaviour respect to their parents and others. It might be aggressive
and impatient as well, as per the studies it has been seen that it majorly impact on the mental
state of young individuals. It can majorly impact on the children and parent bonding which
makes children to be less expressive in regards with their choices and lifestyles fundamentals. It
has been observed through number of cases that children might also raise to be less emotionally
attached with their parents as well. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to
domestic abuse, 2015) Children might also submerged within depression causing factor that can

promote other mental distress. In order to deal with these kind of issues it has been considered
that children should be dealt politely that can help them to overcome with their mental issues that
are invading their child development.(The role of social workers in responding effectively to
domestic abuse, 2015). In this case, the role of social workers that can determined is to take
individual to the counsellors that can assist them and will able to provide learning to children to
ignore these issues and also their parents in regards with management of children. The social
workers can be appeared as saviours of children, who are tend to be concern about children. (The
role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015) It has been also
observed by ample of studies that children might also feel number of physical inabilities and aslo
interrupted development, in which understanding and the awareness miht work, that can help
them to overcome with the issues which are prevailed due to main fcator that is child abuse. (The
role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015)
CONCLUSION
Overall it has been concluded that prevalence of child abuse in Australia is most common
factors which has been cited in many cases of children needs. In which local authorities and
government has been establishing interventions for prevention, early intervention and also
education. In order to minimise this concerning issue, it needs social change as well as widening
of attitudinal, which can be effective in minimising its prevalence. Also, child abuse should not
be considered as individualized problem, it must be address as public health concern. For the
protection of child, there are number of interventions which have developed to reduce such cases
within Australia. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015)
Similarly, mandatory reporting is considered which should be followed by all members, if they
encounter, such concerning event with children.
As per the studies, it has been determined that there are multiple social intervention that
can help facilitate social workers to manage the cases which are in context of child abuse. In
which there are considered six effective interventions which are termed to be work in a effective
manner, the six intervention are underpinned such as practising parenting skills as well as family
support services as well, intervention which are considered to be school based that are also for
the school based sexual abuse intervention, child protective services that can help in lowering the

acidoses of child abuse , intensive family representatives services, child placements services and
also individualized service programs. (The role of social workers in responding effectively to
domestic abuse, 2015) As these intervention can be helpful in providing safe and healthy
environment fro children to promote development and their growth. It can also help in
administration of their intellectual growth.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abbas, S. S., & Jabeen, T. (2020). Prevalence of child abuse among the university students: a
retrospective cross-sectional study in University of the Punjab, Pakistan. International
quarterly of community health education, 40(2), 125-134.
Fowler, L., & Vallett, J. (2021). Conditional Nature of Policy as a Stabilizing Force: Erin’s Law
and Teacher Child Abuse Reporting Practices. Administration & Society, 0095399720976534.
Jenny, C., & Metz, J. B. (2020). Medical Child Abuse and Medical Neglect. Pediatr Rev, 49-60.
Paglia, L. (2018). Child abuse: Awareness is the first step to action. European journal of
paediatric dentistry, 19(2), 89-89.
Pomeranz, E.S.,(2018). Child abuse and conditions that mimic it. Pediatr Clin North Am, 65(6),
pp.1135-50.
Roesler, T. A. (2018). Medical Child Abuse: What Have We Learned in 40 Years?. Current
Treatment Options in Pediatrics, 4(3), 363-372.
Spivak, A. P. (2019). The central role of unconscious fantasy in the analysis of child abuse
trauma. In Trauma and the Destructive-Transformative Struggle (pp. 213-231). Routledge.
Straus, M.A., (2017.) Injury and frequency of assault and the “representative sample fallacy” in
measuring wife beating and child abuse. In Physical violence in American families (pp. 75-
92). Routledge.
Tobin, V. & Delaney, K.R., (2019). Child abuse victimization among transgender and gender
nonconforming people: A systematic review. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 55(4), pp.576-
583.
Tsur, N. (2020). Chronic Pain Personification Following Child Abuse: The Imprinted Experience
of Child Abuse in Later Chronic Pain. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0886260520944529.
Yoon, D., (2020).Peer-relationship patterns and their association with types of child abuse and
adolescent risk behaviors among youth at-risk of maltreatment. Journal of adolescence, 80,
pp.125-135.

Online sources
The Effects of Child Abuse and Exposure to Domestic Violence on Adolescent Internalizing and
Externalizing Behavior Problems, 2010: [Online] Avalaible through:
<https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2872483/>
Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs, 2020: [Online] Avalaible
through: <https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0002-7138(09)60375-7/pdf>
The role of social workers in responding effectively to domestic abuse, 2015 : [Online] Avalaible
through: <https://safelives.org.uk/practice_blog/role-social-workers-responding-effectively-
domestic-abuse>