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Understanding the impact of abuse and neglect on children and young people referred to a therapeutic program
Margarita Frederico
School of Social Work and Social Policy, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, VIC
Annette Jackson
Take Two, Berry Street, Richmond VIC
Carlina M Black
Take Two, Berry Street, Richmond VIC
Abstract
Until recently there has been insufficient attention to the impact of abuse upon children and on the consequences of the abuse and neglect on their development and wellbeing.
This paper explores children's experiences of maltreatment and the range of consequences on many areas of their lives. This study is located within the Take Two program, a Victorian statewide developmental therapeutic service for child protection clients aged between 0 to 18 years of age who have suffered serious abuse and neglect. The Take Two program commenced in 2004 and by the end of 2007, 1194 had been accepted. The Harm Consequences Assessment (HCA) was developed by Take Two to describe the experience and impact of abuse prior to referral.
Analysis of the first two years of data derived from 560 HCAs is reported in this paper and includes a case vignette by way of example. This study found that the majority of Take Two clients had experienced multiple forms of abuse and neglect and had complex presentations including emotional, behavioural and developmental concerns. This complexity of experience and presentation has implications for both the importance of and the challenges involved in designing and providing an effective therapeutic service for these children.
There are additional complexities to take into consideration for providing a therapeutic service for Aboriginal children. This study also has implications for how the broader system including protection and care services and schools can better understand and respond to meet their needs.
Keywords
trauma, children, child protection, out-of-home care, abuse, neglect
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