Child Abuse and Neglect: a socio-legal Study of Mandatory Reporting in Australia

3. Major findings from analysis of data on notifications and outcomes 2003-12

Some major trends emerge from our analysis of the data on notifications of child abuse and neglect in the ACT.

1. Non-mandated reporters make approximately half of all notifications.

There were 75,382 notifications of suspected child abuse and neglect made by all persons over the decade (Fig 2). Non-mandated reporters made 38,110 notifications (50.5% of the total). This suggests the practices of non-mandated reporters merits attention to enhance reporting.

2. Mandated reporters make approximately half of all notifications.

The major mandated reporter groups made 37,272 notifications (49.5% of the total: Fig 2). Notifications fully mandated by law – that is, those by mandated reporter groups, of physical injury and sexual abuse only – account for a significantly smaller proportion of notifications.

3. A substantial proportion of all notifications are not investigated.

For various reasons, including the caller-defined notification protocol adopted in the ACT, the majority of ‘notifications’ are not investigated. In the ACT, 20,249 notifications were investigated (Fig 2).

4. Mandated reporters’ notifications identify approximately half of all substantiated cases.

There were 8338 substantiated notifications out of 20,249 investigations (41%: Fig 2). Of all substantiated cases, 49% result from notifications by mandated reporters (4074).

5. The number and proportion of notifications differs by type of child abuse/neglect, and by reporter group. Notifications of emotional abuse increased markedly from 2003-07, declined in 2008, and rose steadily from 2009-12.

Overall, notifications of emotional abuse have increased by the greatest amount over the decade, and have remained by far the most frequently reported maltreatment type (Fig 3).

This trend is similar for both non-mandated and mandated reporters. It is particularly notable since emotional abuse is not required to be reported under the reporting legislation. Hence, these notifications are not technically ‘mandated reports’.

From 2003-07, notifications by all persons of emotional abuse tripled (1472 to 4383).

In this period 2003-07, notifications of emotional abuse by non-mandated reporters also almost tripled (848 to 2358). Notifications of emotional abuse by mandated reporters tripled (624 to 2025). Police notifications were a particularly prominent source of this increase (314 to 903). It is plausible that many of these situations arise in the context of domestic violence.

A decline occurred in 2008, followed by another steady rise from 2009-12. However, in this later period, police reports have declined. Overall, emotional abuse remains frequently reported by mandated reporters despite not being a mandated abuse type, and is also frequently reported by non-mandated reporters. 6. Notifications of neglect increased markedly from 2003-07, and then remained relatively stable.

Overall, notifications of neglect show a similar pattern to those for emotional abuse for the years 2003-07 but have since remained relatively stable (Fig 4).

Again, this trend is similar for both non-mandated and mandated reporters. This trend, like that for emotional abuse, is also particularly notable since neglect is not required to be reported under the reporting legislation. Hence, these notifications are not technically ‘mandated reports’.

From 2003-07, notifications by all persons of emotional abuse doubled (971 to 2109). In this period 2003-07, notifications of neglect by non-mandated reporters doubled. Notifications of neglect by mandated reporters more than doubled.

After 2007, notifications stabilised, with some smaller increases.

It appears that the current trends in reporting of emotional abuse and neglect are producing a burden on the system, at least in the burdens produced by the making of notifications, intake of notifications, and treatment of the intakes at agency level. While these data are likely influenced by the ACT’s caller-defined protocol, these notifications may reflect a level of societal need, which may in some but not all cases require the attention of statutory child protection services.

6. Other clear trends, by type of abuse and neglect

Several other trends emerge from the data on notifications by mandated reporters combined over time, by type of abuse, and by outcome (Fig 5).

A clear surge in notifications of all abuse and neglect types occurs from 2003-05 (continuing through 2007 for emotional abuse), which was not associated with any change to mandatory reporting legislation. It may have been associated with two inquiries into child protection (Parliamentary Standing Committee 2003; Vardon Report 2004).