Melissa O'Donnell1, Stephanie Taplin2, Rhonda Marriott3, Fernando Lima4, Fiona J Stanley4. 1. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Electronic address: Melissa.O'Donnell@telethonkids.org.au. 2. Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, Canberra, Australia. 3. Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 4. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The removal of a child from their parents is traumatising, particularly in Aboriginal communities where a history of child removals has led to intergenerational trauma. This study will determine where disparities in child protection involvement exist among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and characteristics associated with infant removals. Challenges faced by child protection and other agencies, and opportunities for overcoming these, are discussed. METHODS: Data from both the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and linked Western Australian government data was used to examine disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the child protection and out-of-home care system. RESULTS: Nationally, Aboriginal children are ten times more likely to be placed in out-of-home care than non-Aboriginal children and this disparity starts in infancy. Infants were removed from parents with high levels of risk. Aboriginal infants were at increased risk of being removed from women with substance-use problems and had greater proportions removed from remote, disadvantaged communities than were non-Aboriginal infants. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal infants have a high rate of removal. Although there are many complexities to be understood and challenges to overcome, there are also potential strategies. The disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infant removals needs to be seen as a priority requiring urgent action to prevent further intergenerational trauma.
OBJECTIVES: The removal of a child from their parents is traumatising, particularly in Aboriginal communities where a history of child removals has led to intergenerational trauma. This study will determine where disparities in child protection involvement exist among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children and characteristics associated with infant removals. Challenges faced by child protection and other agencies, and opportunities for overcoming these, are discussed. METHODS: Data from both the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare and linked Western Australian government data was used to examine disparities between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children in the child protection and out-of-home care system. RESULTS: Nationally, Aboriginal children are ten times more likely to be placed in out-of-home care than non-Aboriginal children and this disparity starts in infancy. Infants were removed from parents with high levels of risk. Aboriginal infants were at increased risk of being removed from women with substance-use problems and had greater proportions removed from remote, disadvantaged communities than were non-Aboriginal infants. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal infants have a high rate of removal. Although there are many complexities to be understood and challenges to overcome, there are also potential strategies. The disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal infant removals needs to be seen as a priority requiring urgent action to prevent further intergenerational trauma.
Authors: Catherine Chamberlain; Graham Gee; Deirdre Gartland; Fiona K Mensah; Sarah Mares; Yvonne Clark; Naomi Ralph; Caroline Atkinson; Tanja Hirvonen; Helen McLachlan; Tahnia Edwards; Helen Herrman; Stephanie J Brown; And Jan M Nicholson Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2020-09-15
Authors: Michael Wright; Alex Brown; Patricia Dudgeon; Rob McPhee; Juli Coffin; Glenn Pearson; Ashleigh Lin; Elizabeth Newnham; Kiarnee King Baguley; Michelle Webb; Amanda Sibosado; Nikayla Crisp; Helen Louise Flavell Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-05-19 Impact factor: 2.692