The authors examine the associations between experiences of child maltreatment and mental disorders in the Australian population. Child maltreatment is associated with increased risk of mental disorders.

This study aimed to examine associations between child maltreatment and health service use, both overall, by type and by the number of types of maltreatment reported. It found that child maltreatment in Australia, particularly the experience of multiple types of maltreatment, is associated with increased likelihood of hospital admission with mental disorders, and higher numbers...

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence in Australia of multi-type child maltreatment, defined as two or more maltreatment types (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, or exposure to domestic violence) and to examine its nature, family risk factors, and gender and age cohort differences.

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study has shown that the majority of Australians have experienced child maltreatment, and that these experiences are associated with substantially higher rates of health risk behaviours and conditions, including substance misuse, self-harm and suicide attempts. Sexual abuse and emotional abuse present the highest risks.

Online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) offending is a challenge for law enforcement, policy-makers and child welfare organisations alike. To address this, the authors of this report use a case study to analyse the actions individuals and organisations within the technology, government, non-government and private sectors could take to implement warning messages.