The recently published, groundbreaking, population-based study of child maltreatment in Australia found exposure to domestic violence is the most common form of maltreatment (39.6%). In this interview with Professor Daryl Higgins, one of the study’s chief investigators, David and Ruth discuss the domestic violence–specific results, including how they intersect with other forms of maltreatment and other adverse experiences to produce health and other challenges in adults.  

Some of the key results discussed include:

• What was learned about childhood maltreatment, and its connection to health outcomes in adults, in this study of 8,500 Australians 
• How domestic violence is present in the five most common clusters of overlapping types of maltreatment 
• How men were more likely to report smoking and cannabis use as result of childhood exposure to domestic violence
• How women were more likely to report self-harm, suicide attempts, and obesity as a result of childhood exposure of domestic violence  
• How female and gender diverse children were more likely to experience childhood exposure to domestic violence 

Read more resources and publications from the Institute of Child Protection Studies about adopting a public health approach to protecting children: https://www.acu.edu.au/icps/public-health

Other related Partnered with A Survivor episodes  

Season 5 Episode 5: A Trauma History is Not An Excuse for Acting Abusively

Season 5 Episode 4: Unveiling The Impact Of Domestic Violence On Children: Beyond The Myth Of The Child Witness

Season 4 Episode 10: Ensuring The Voice Of The Child Is Heard, And Child’s Best Interests Are Considered In Domestic Abuse Cases

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Now available! Mapping the Perpetrator’s Pattern: A Practitioner’s Tool for Improving Assessment, Intervention, and Outcomes The web-based Perpetrator Pattern Mapping Tool is a virtual practice tool for improving assessment, intervention, and outcomes through a perpetrator pattern-based approach. The tool allows practitioners to apply the Model’s critical concepts and principles to their current case load in real

Check out David Mandel's new book Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers: How to Transform the Way We Keep Children Safe from Domestic Violence.

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