The number of children living away from their family for their own protection has almost tripled from 13 979 in 1996 to 31 166 in 2008.
In 2007-2008, there were 55 120 substantiated cases of child abuse nationally.
The number of referrals to the Australian Childhood Foundation has increased by 20 per cent during the 2008/2009 Financial Year.
In 2007-2008, 34 279 children required court action in order to ensure their protection from abuse and neglect.
