ABSTRACT
Hit by step-mother who has thrown chairs and knives at her. [ANG_case file]
Paternal uncle punched child in the stomach and smacked him on the face many times. [LEB_case file]
Mother has physically assaulted child by repeatedly kicking, hitting and punching him with steel capped boots. Child [also] repeatedly choked by his mother. [PAC_case file]
Parents have long history of abuse. Ongoing cruel, physical punishment including standing child outside in the rain at night, leaving him unsupervised in the garage till their return late from work at night. [CHN_case file]
NM admitted to punishing the child by heating a knife over a hot plate and placing it on his skin causing burns to his legs and body. Mother has grabbed the 9 y.o. by the back of the head and rammed child into the concrete wall. Caller heard a thud. Severity of harm high due to mother’s inappropriate disciplining actions. [LEB_case file]
The case file reviews showed that reports of physical abuse were most common for ethnic minorities (see Table 3.1). This is contrary to the finding by Thoburn et al. (2005) who report that in the UK, physical abuse is more prevalent among Anglo families than Black families. In this Australian data, both cultural and acculturative reasons most explain its prevalence: (i) the use of physical discipline is culturally normal, acceptable and of value (especially in the area of scholastic achievement to enhance the family name); and (ii) due to lack of awareness of child protection systems (combined with a fear of authorities), disclosures of physical abuse are greater.
