Curtin study reveals most childhood physical abuse occurs within families

New Curtin University-led research has revealed most childhood physical abuse in Australia occurs within families ­- and before children turn 10.

The study analyzed Australian Child Maltreatment Study data from 8,503 Australians aged 16 and older, focusing on 2,623 individuals who reported experiencing childhood physical abuse.

Experiences of physical abuse ranged from being hit, punched or kicked by an adult through to more severe forms of violence such as being beaten, hit on the head or face, choked or burned.

Of this group, researchers found physical abuse remains high for young Australians, with one in four 16-to-24-year-olds reporting experiencing physical abuse by a family member.

The study also showed physical abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated within the home, with family members responsible for 85 per cent of reported perpetration, compared with 4 per cent in institutional settings and 5 per cent in both settings.

Other key findings:

• Among children who experienced abuse before age 10, both parents were identified as perpetrators in one in three cases.
• Abuse involving both parents was also associated with the earliest onset and longest duration.
• Father-only perpetration was twice as likely as mother-only perpetration among male victim-survivors.
• Men reported substantially more institutional physical abuse, suggesting boys were historically more exposed to punitive institutional environments.

Lead author Monica Madzoska, a PhD candidate from Curtin's School of Population Health, said the findings showed efforts to prevent child physical abuse must extend beyond institutions and place greater emphasis on the home.

Australia's focus on institutional abuse has helped drive progress, but most physical abuse occurs within families.

The concentration of abuse in children's formative years shows prevention and early-intervention efforts must reach families early, when support can make the greatest difference.

A stronger national focus on supporting parents and families is critical to preventing physical abuse and other forms of child maltreatment, and to promoting the mental health of young Australians.

That means investing in evidence-based parenting programs, reducing pressures on families, intervening early and ensuring children can safely seek help."

Monica Madzoska, PhD candidate, Curtin's School of Population Health

PhD lead supervisor and co-author Professor David Lawrence, also from Curtin's School of Population Health, said childhood physical abuse remains a major public health concern globally and is associated with substantial adverse mental, physical and social outcomes across the lifespan.

Professor Lawrence is one of the Chief Investigators on the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

"What happens behind closed doors can shape a child's health and wellbeing for life, which is why preventing physical abuse must be a national public health priority," Professor Lawrence said.

Parkerville Children and Youth Care Chief Executive Officer Kim Brooklyn said: "When one in four young Australians report experiencing physical abuse as a child we cannot sit idly by, we must invest in building parenting capabilities and creating safe communities long before children are harmed. Australia's children are depending on all of us to ensure they have the best environments to grow, develop, and thrive."

Other collaborating institutions included the Queensland University of Technology, Australian Catholic University, the University of Queensland, the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and Johns Hopkins University.