Resources

The prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders or other adults in religious organizations in Australia

Australian prevalence of child sexual abuse by leaders and adults in religious organisations

Prevalence and Patterns of Maltreatment, Childhood Adversity, and Mental Health Disorders in an Australian Out-Of-Home Care Sample

The prevalence of peer sexual harassment during childhood in Australia

Corporal Punishment Prevalence Video

Major study reveals two-thirds of people who suffer childhood maltreatment suffer more than one kind

1 in 4 adults think smacking is necessary to ‘properly raise’ kids. But attitudes are changing

New research shows some gains but fresh difficulties in combating child sexual abuse: Conversation Article

Child maltreatment and criminal justice system involvement in Australia: Findings from a national survey

The prevalence of child maltreatment among those with gender and sexuality diverse identities

Prof Daryl Higgins on uncovering a cycle of child abuse in Australia.

Child sexual abuse by different classes and types of perpetrator: Prevalence and trends from an Australian national survey

The prevalence of corporal punishment in Australia

Prevalence of physical punishment in Australia

Exploring what the ACMS means for the Child & Family Sector in NSW

A multi-sector response ACMS event hosted by the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

Emotional abuse is a pattern of hurtful messages – building parenting skills could help prevent it

Publications

Entire ACMS primary findings set

Overview of the ACMS

Prevalence of child sexual abuse across all Australians

Child sexual abuse among young Australians

Child maltreatment and health disparity: A call to action

Child maltreatment is widespread, and typically involves multiple types

ACMS researchers talk to Sam Hunt from the Medical Journal of Australia about the primary findings

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study National prevalence and associated health outcomes of child abuse and neglect

Child maltreatment and health risk behaviours in the Australian young people

This infographic presents data from our young person sample of Australians aged 16-24.

Child maltreatment and health risk behaviours in the Australian population

The infographic presents Australian population level data and is based on our full sample of Australians aged 16-65+.

Child maltreatment and mental health disorders in the Australian young people

This infographic presents data from our young person sample of Australians aged 16-24.

Child maltreatment and mental health disorders in the Australian population

The infographic presents Australian population level data and is based on our full sample of Australians aged 16-65+

Prevalence of multi-type maltreatment in Australian young people

This infographic presents data from our young person sample of Australians aged 16-24.

Prevalence of multi-type maltreatment across the Australian population

This infographic presents Australian population level data and is based on our full sample of Australians aged 16-65+.

Prevalence of maltreatment in young people aged 16-24 years.

This infographic presents data from our young person sample of Australians aged 16-24.

Prevalence of maltreatment across the Australian Population

This infographic presents Australian population level data and is based on our full sample of Australians aged 16-65+.

The prevalence and impact of child maltreatment in Australia: Findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study: 2023 Brief Report

This report outlines the first Australian data on the prevalence and impact of child maltreatment in Australia.

Introducing the Australian Child Maltreatment Study: Baseline evidence for a national public health challenge

This brief editorial introduces the articles in the Medical Journal of Australia Supplement including why they are important and how they contribute to our understanding of child maltreatment in Australia.

Methodology of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS): A national survey of the prevalence of child maltreatment and its correlates.

This paper outlines the methodological foundation on which theother ACMS papers build. It outlines the broad methodology, measures, and sample of the ACMS. It was published in the Medical Journal of Australian ACMS Supplement.

The prevalence of child maltreatment in Australia: findings from a national survey.

This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the prevalence of multi-type child maltreatment in Australia. It also covers the common combinations of multi-type maltreatment and family related factors that influence the presence of multi-type maltreatment.

The prevalence and nature of multi-type child maltreatment in Australia.

This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the prevalence of multi-type child maltreatment in Australia. It also covers the common combinations of multi-type maltreatment and family related factors that influence the presence of multi-type maltreatment.

The association between child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.

This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the associations between child maltreatment experiences and 4 mental health disorders (major depressive disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorder).

Association between child maltreatment and health risk behaviours and conditions throughout life: The Australian Child Maltreatment Study

This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the associations between child maltreatment experiences and health risk behaviours including suicide and self-harm and cannabis dependence.

Child maltreatment and health service utilisation: findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

This paper, published as a part of the Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement, outlines the associations between child maltreatment experiences and later health service utilisation.

A new era in child maltreatment prevention: Call to action.

This brief perspective piece outlines the primary finding of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study as published in Medical Journal of Australia ACMS Supplement.

Adaptation and validation of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2 for a national study of child maltreatment in Australia

This paper outlines the adaptation and development of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (Australian Child Maltreatment Study). This was the instrument used in the ACMS.

Public Launch of ACMS findings

Pre-data launch webinar: Overview of the ACMS.

Prof Ben Mathews on child sexual abuse

The ethics of child maltreatment surveys in relation to participant distress: Implications of social science evidence, ethical guidelines, and law.

This paper outlines the ethical and legal issues related to child maltreatment research and provides guidelines to consider in developing ethical research projects

Legal Duties of Researchers to Protect Participants in Child Maltreatment Surveys: Advancing Legal Epidemiology

This paper outlines the legal issues that arise from child maltreatment research and provides guidance about the legal and ethical issues researchers working in this field should consider.

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS): protocol for a national survey of the prevalence of child abuse and neglect, associated mental disorders and physical health problems, and burden of disease

This paper outlines the protocol of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study including aims and methodology.

Use proper names for body parts, don’t force hugs: how to protect your kids from in-person sexual abuse

This conversation piece is aimed at laypeople and parents. It outlines the nature of child sexual abuse and outlines practical steps parents can take to help protect their children.

Be careful with photos, talk about sex: how to protect your kids from online sexual abuse

This conversation piece is aimed at laypeople and parents. It outlines the nature of online child sexual abuse and outlines practical steps parents can take to help protect their children.

Improving measurement of child abuse and neglect: A systematic review and analysis of national prevalence studies.

This systematic review outlines the measurement of child maltreatment across all national prevalence studies and identifies areas for improvement. This review is the foundation for the selection and adaptation of the instrument used in the ACMS.

Child sexual abuse: Toward a conceptual model and definition

This paper outlines a new conceptual model of child sexual abuse. Led by Prof Mathews and Prof Collin-Vézina this model has been widely cited and forms the theoretical foundation of the child sexual abuse items assessed in the ACMS.