Sexual and family violence against children at 'crisis point', study finds

A University of Sydney study reveals a sharp rise in violence against children, with sexual assault and family violence incidents surging across Australia over the past decade. The research, examining police-recorded assaults, hospitalizations, and child protection data from 2014 to 2024, discovered a 32% increase in sexual assaults against girls aged 0-9, a 51% surge among girls aged 10-17, and a 60% rise for boys aged 10-17, with a notable yearly spike of 15.7% starting in 2021.

Lead researcher Dr. Grummitt warns that we are at a "crisis point" and urges all levels of government to take immediate action. The study noted a puzzling divergence: while there was no increase in hospitalizations for assault-related injuries or substantiated child maltreatment cases through the child protection system, the rates of sexual assault and family violence-related assaults continued to climb.

Experts attribute the surge to factors such as rising income inequality, the COVID-19 pandemic, cost-of-living pressures, and changing online gender norms. Dr. Grummitt suggests that these increases may be linked to rising stressors and a lack of system capacity to address them effectively. Conrad Townson, a child sexual exploitation expert, calls the escalation rates "staggering" and emphasizes that the persistent violence post-COVID is particularly concerning. He also notes that increased reporting of abuse could contribute to the observed rise.

Researchers urge governments to invest more in prevention and early detection, including implementing recommendations from the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches. They stress that violence against children is a human rights issue that requires a whole-of-government approach, rather than being the responsibility of a single department.

Former national children's commissioner Anne Hollonds calls for immediate action, emphasizing that childhood is the most powerful prevention opportunity within our reach. Jamie Crosby, CEO of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare, describes the situation as "desperate and immediate," urging governments and communities to prioritize child safety and wellbeing.