Download Research Reports
On this page, you will be able to download the research reports published by the Australian Childhood Foundation and the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University. Just follow the directions to access the reports for free.
The Reports
Children's sense of safety (June 2008)
Date of Publication:
Jun. 2008
Summary:
The report, entitled, Children’s Sense of Safety: Children’s experiences of childhood in contemporary Australia, outlines significant safety concerns faced by Australian children of today. The report draws on responses from 600 children aged between 10-14 years from an online survey conducted by Quantum Market Research on behalf of the Australian Childhood Foundation and Child Abuse Research Australia (CARA), Monash University.
Children's fears, hopes and heroes - Modern childhood in Australia
Date of Publication:
Jun. 2007
Summary:
This report examines the experiences of modern childhood through the results of an online survey unertaken by a national sample of 600 children and young people aged between 10 - 14 years. The report was published in June 2007 by the Australian Childhood Foundation in partnership with the National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Monash University and Quantum Market Research.
Crossing the Line - Making the case to change Australian laws about the physical punishment of children
Authors:
Joe Tucci, Janise Mitchell and Chris Goddard
Date of Publication:
Sep. 2006
Summary:
This report examines the current laws covering the physical punishment of children in Australia. It reports on the findings of a community attitude survey of Australian adults about their views on the use of physical punishment of children.
Every Child needs a hero - A report tracking Australian children's concerns and attitudes about childhood
Authors:
Joe Tucci, Janise Mitchell and Chris Goddard
Date of Publication:
Jul. 2006
Summary:
This report examines the perceptions and concerns of a national sample of 989 children aged between 10 - 17 years of age in Australia. It examines and describes the experiences of childhood in contemporary society.
Out of sight - Out of mind
Authors:
Joe Tucci, Janise Mitchell and Chris Goddard
Date of Publication:
Apr. 2006
Summary:
This report is the second national study examining community attitdues about child abuse and child protection ever undertaken in Australia. It demonstrates that the true extent of child abuse is poorly understood by the public. The report makes a series of recommendations about improving awareness about the experiences of children who have suffered abuse and family violence.
Children who engage in problem sexual behaviour: Context, characteristics and treatment
Authors:
Dr Petra Staiger
Date of Publication:
Feb. 2006
Summary:
This literature review explores a range of key issues associated with the background and treatment of children who engage in problem sexual behaviour. It examines best practice approaches for intervention with children and their families.
A preliminary evaluation of the Transformers Program for children who engage in problem sexual behaviour
Date of Publication:
Sep. 2005
Summary:
This report outlines a two year evaluation of the Transformers program for children who engage in problem sexual behaviour. It provides background analysis of the risk factors to the development of sexual behaviour in children. It also highlights the positive outcomes for children and families achieved by the Transformers Program.
The Changing Face of Parenting
Date of Publication:
Apr. 2005
Summary:
This is a report about the April 2005 national survey of 501 parents. It highlights a number of new challenges confronting parents in contemporary society.
Do not turn away: Tracking community attitudes about child abuse and child protection
Authors:
Tucci, J., Goddard, C., and Mitchell, J.
Date of Publication:
May. 2004
Summary:
This report describes the outcomes of a survey of 250 adults in Tasmania about child abuse and child protection. It provides results about the degree to which child abuse is considered a community concern and an assessment of the accuracy of public knowledge about the extent, nature and impact of child abuse.
The concerns of Australian parents
Authors:
Tucci, J., Goddard, C., and Mitchell, J.
Date of Publication:
Mar. 2004
Summary:
This report describes the outcomes of a national survey of 500 parents conducted as part of the Every Child is Important Campaign. The key objectives of this research were to identify the issues of most concern for parents in relation to their parenting and examine the extent to which parents feel confident about their parenting approaches.
Tolerating violence against children: Community attitudes about child abuse and child protection.
Authors:
Tucci, J., Goddard, C., and Mitchell, J.
Date of Publication:
Sep. 2003
Summary:
This report describes the outcomes of a national survey of 500 adults in Australia about their attitudes and understanding about child abuse and family violence. The results of the survey were alarming. As a community, we tolerate violence against children. Approximately 1 in 5 of those surveyed regard injuring a child as not serious enough to merit an assault charge. Just over 1 in 2 respondents did not believe or were uncertain whether to believe children's stories about being abused.
Please Don’t Hit Me – Community Attitudes towards the Physical Discipline of Children.
Authors:
Tucci, J., Saunders, B., and Goddard, C.R.
Date of Publication:
Jun. 2002
Summary:
This report describes the outcomes of a survey of 301 adults in Victoria about their attitudes to the use of physical punishment of children. The findings suggested that there was only minimal support for physical punishment when it was aimed at young children or when it caused even the slightest mark or bruise. The majority of respondents preferred non-violent ways of shaping children’s behaviour over punishment that resorted to physical force.
A Study in Confusion – Factors which affect the decisions of community professionals when reporting child abuse and neglect.
Authors:
Goddard, C.R., Saunders, B., Stanley, J. and Tucci, J.
Date of Publication:
Feb. 2002
Summary:
This report describes the outcomes of in depth interviews with 52 child welfare, health and education professionals in Victoria. It analyses the impact of the introduction of mandatory reporting legislation on the reporting attitudes and behaviours of community professionals in Victoria; examines how community professionals understand and assess risk in their work with children; and, examines the restraints faced by community professionals in making decisions to seek and secure the required support to protect children from abuse.
More Action – Less Talk! Community Responses to Child Abuse Prevention.
Authors:
Tucci, J., Goddard, C.R. and Mitchell, J.
Date of Publication:
Mar. 2001
Summary:
This report constitutes the first in a research series to be conducted by the Australian Childhood Foundation aimed at tracking community attitudes towards children and public awareness of child abuse in Australian society. It describes the outcomes of a survey with 301 adults in Victoria.
Why do We Condone the Physical Punishment of Children?
Authors:
Saunders, B. and Goddard, C.R.
Date of Publication:
Jun. 1999
Summary:
This discussion paper examines the issue of physical punishment of children. It provides an international review of the research. It also sets out a number of recommendations for law reform to better protect children.
Agenda for Change. Solutions to the Problems in Child Protection Systems in Australia.
Authors:
Tucci, J., Goddard, C., Saunders, B., Stanley, J.
Date of Publication:
Sep. 1998
Summary:
Held over 2-3 April, 1998 at the Melbourne Convention Centre, the Agenda for Change Conference drew together over 270 health, legal and welfare professionals to collaborate in developing possible solutions to improve current approaches to protecting children and preventing child abuse and neglect. This report describes the outcomes of the research undertaken with conference participants. It sets out a series of recommendations for national reform.
Agenda For Change. Selected Conference Papers.
Authors:
Edited by Tucci, J., Goddard, C., Saunders, B., Stanley, J.
Date of Publication:
Sep. 1998
Summary:
The Agenda for Change Conference drew together over 270 health, legal and welfare professionals to collaborate in developing possible solutions to improve current approaches to protecting children and preventing child abuse and neglect. This is a compilation of selected papers presented at the conference.
A Critique of Structured Risk Assessment Procedures: Instruments of Abuse?
Authors:
Saunders, B. and Goddard, C.R.
Date of Publication:
Jun. 1998
Summary:
This discussion paper reviews the literature and research on the use and reliance of structured risk assessments in child protection practice.
Victoria’s Protective Services: Dual Tracks and Double Standards
Authors:
Goddard, C.
Date of Publication:
Feb. 1988
Summary:
This report was first published in 1988. It remains a seminal research study which has been instrumental in shaping modern child protection practices in Australia. The media attention which followed its first printing included a series of articles in The Age (Our Children, Our Shame) and a Four Corners program (Victoria - State of Abuse). This public awareness pressured the Minister for Community Services to introduce radical reform to Victoria's child protection system. It serves as a powerful reminder that independent research is necessary if children's rights to protection from abuse and family violence are to be upheld and promoted.