The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) found that child maltreatment is very common in Australia. Nearly two in three participants (62.2%) in this population-based study reported that they had experienced at least one form of abuse or neglect before they were 18 years old. 

Child maltreatment is a problem affecting many young people in Australia: 43.8% of study participants aged 16–24 years said they had been exposed to domestic violence, 34.6% reported emotional abuse, 28.5% physical abuse, 25.7% sexual abuse and 10.3% neglect. 

Child maltreatment disproportionally affects girls. Young women reported substantially higher rates of child sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect than young men.

Young people who were maltreated were significantly more likely to have a mental health disorder in adulthood and to report health risk behaviours, including self-harm and suicide. 

The study provides important new evidence to inform policy and practice. The NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is committed to helping children and young people who have experienced maltreatment through prevention and early intervention programs as well as targeted mental health supports. 

This Evidence to Action Note includes a checklist for caseworkers on how to best support a child or young person in out-of-home care, who is at risk of mental health disorders or self-harm.