Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Q. How does age, gender, sexuality, culture, disability, disadvantage learners, affect their susceptibility to abuse? i have tried to answer this 2 times and both have been rejected.

Hi Lorina
I know this is wordy, but am i correct or not please ? Thanking you in anticipation, Cheers from Krissie
AGE 1.2.2019 A young child may be more likely to be abused. They don't really understand the right & wrong of a persuasive/ abusive perpetrator. The impacts of abuse on the child/ person being abused vary. A child will react differently if they are brought up in a violent dysfunctional home. ( Domestic Violence)
The age of the child will have an effect on a child's responses. Most children, will be affected by tension/ witnessing arguments, upset/ distressed behaviour or even assaults. Sometimes they may not directly show their responses, withdraw into themselves. A child may feel that they have some blame to this dysfunctional homelife. Or like the perpertrator they may feel angry, or guilty, becoming more insecure, alone, frightened, feeling powerless, or confused not knowing what to do or who to ask for help. They are not even sure if this is a normal home like environment as they have not experienced anything different. They may have indecisive undecided of their feelings, to both the abuser, and towards the non-abusing parent.

Disability 1.2.2019
Children with disability might lack a good understanding of acceptible normal social relationships, personal boundaries, sexual awareness, and what abuse means or is.
Their personal care are dependant often on a carer other than their parent or their primary care giver. So their Care may be rough and or more intrusive than necessary. They may also be physically unable to adequately voice or physically resist or avoid that treatment toward themselves.
If their communication is difficult, children with disability find it hard to let someone in their Family or Authority know that abusive treatment is occurring.
Further more , if they have behavioural issues, their care & treatment may well be dealt with in a forceful or restrictive way, therefore their behaviour issue will be blamed/ documented instead of indicators of abuse being acknowledged or reported.
They may be more inclined to accept abusive treatment if their cognitive ability / understanding, self-esteem and or a low perception of their own abilities.
Both the child and their Family can be more isolated, not seeing or interacting with other people in their own situation. Therefore not being able to witness what is perceived to be the best / normal standard of Care.
GENDER 1.2.2019
In Australia, in 2003, 76% of recorded sexual assault victims aged under 15 years of age were female and 24% were male (ABS, 2004).
That report of the prevalence of child sexual assault reported in comprehensive contemporary Australian studies found that males had prevalence rates of 4-8% for penetrative abuse and 12-16% for non-penetrative abuse, while females had prevalence rates of 7-12% for penetrative abuse and 23-36% for non-penetrative abuse (Price-Robertson, Bromfield, & Vassallo, 2010). These findings are consistent with earlier research that has reported that severely intrusive forms of abuse, including attempted or completed vaginal, oral, or anal penetration, did not greatly differ between boys and girls, with the majority of studies reporting prevalence figures in the range of 5-10% for both males and females (Fergusson & Mullen, 1999).
Child sexual abuse is clearly an issue in need of a nuanced understanding of both male and female victims. Research suggests that the sexual abuse of boys is far more common than generally believed (Dorahy & Clearwater, 2012). This is emerging from studies of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and from studies of gay and bisexual men. The prevalence rates for both groups are significantly higher than the more commonly cited figures for males in the general population (Jinich et al., 1998; Wilson & Widom, 2010). In relation to clergy-perpetrated abuse, it is becoming clear, as outlined earlier, that boys are much more likely than girls to be the victims of this type of abuse, though it may not be formally reported to authorities for some time, if ever (John Jay College, 2004; Parkinson et al., 2010). Resourced Information from Australian Government - Australian Institute of Family Studies.
Sexuality 1.2.2019
In Australia, in 2003, 76% of recorded sexual assault victims aged under 15 years of age were female and 24% were male (ABS, 2004).
That report of the prevalence of child sexual assault reported in comprehensive contemporary Australian studies found that males had prevalence rates of 4-8% for penetrative abuse and 12-16% for non-penetrative abuse, while females had prevalence rates of 7-12% for penetrative abuse and 23-36% for non-penetrative abuse (Price-Robertson, Bromfield, & Vassallo, 2010). These findings are consistent with earlier research that has reported that severely intrusive forms of abuse, including attempted or completed vaginal, oral, or anal penetration, did not greatly differ between boys and girls, with the majority of studies reporting prevalence figures in the range of 5-10% for both males and females (Fergusson & Mullen, 1999).
Child sexual abuse is clearly an issue in need of a nuanced understanding of both male and female victims. Research suggests that the sexual abuse of boys is far more common than generally believed (Dorahy & Clearwater, 2012). This is emerging from studies of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and from studies of gay and bisexual men. The prevalence rates for both groups are significantly higher than the more commonly cited figures for males in the general population (Jinich et al., 1998; Wilson & Widom, 2010). In relation to clergy-perpetrated abuse, it is becoming clear, as outlined earlier, that boys are much more likely than girls to be the victims of this type of abuse, though it may not be formally reported to authorities for some time, if ever (John Jay College, 2004; Parkinson et al., 2010). Resourced Information from Australian Government - Australian Institute of Family Studies.
CULTURE 1.2.2019
Child abuse can occur across all cultural influences including, socioeconomic, povery, religious, cultural, racial, and ethic groups. There is no single factor that relates to abuse. A healthy network of supportive people for a Family & Children, may help reduce the occurrence and or risk of parents abusing their children, especially during stressful life events/ pressures.
Also pointing out that not necessarily a stressful /pressured Life will result in abuse occurring, difficult to say it happens in one Family and not another in similar circumstances.
Parents/caregiver may have their own characteristics and psychological well-being issues, a history of maltreatment, substance abuse, attitudes because of their circumstances in developmental years and educaction/ knowledge, and age of becoming a Parent/ caregiver.
Family conflict/ marital conflict, domestic violence, single parenthood, history of unemployment, generational unemeployment, financial stresses, and social isolation. These are compounding stresses which may contribute to the likelihood of abuse.

So in conclusion.
The age of the child, his or her physical, mental, emotional, and social development, may increase the child’s vulnerability to Abuse.
A positive support network of for the whole Family, of Friends and Relatives, trying to ensure even their neighbourhood is free of violence.

Hi Lorina I have a new Q too......

Why is it important for you / Educator to participate in a Self- Assessment?
I did answer the question.
However the reply from the Assessor was; Good answer... but how does self assessment relate to sustainability factors?
My Answer was :
As Childcare Workers/ Carers, Educators, A self Assessment will assist us to ascertain the abilities and skills of us/myself and also what we/ I need to improve on in the future year. (including my approach to duties/ challenges in the workplace and or extra training).

I appreciate your guidance Lorina,
Cheers from Krissie .