Despite the claims of statutory child protection authorities to be ‘child-centred’, the language used to record responses to child abuse and neglect allegations still focuses heavily upon parental actions. In most Australian states, child protection records perpetuate an emphasis on how harm was caused and by whom. This paper illustrates that parental blame – theoretically a concept of the past – is alive and well within child protection recording systems, and raises the implications of this for the development of policy frameworks and service delivery. It is argued that recent moves by some states towards differential responses actually perpetuate a focus on the parent to the detriment of a focus on the child’s needs. A better way of conceptualising the outcomes of child protection assessments – focusing on a child’s protective needs – is suggested.

Many welfare authorities have developed detailed systems for the management of their initial response to child abuse reports. But what happens then? Less attention has been given to frameworks for the management of cases subject to on-going statutory intervention. The Queensland framework is unique in Australia – its methodology ensures an on-going client-focused response which integrates ‘bestpractice’ standards, accountability and dynamic planning and review until the child’s needs have been met.

This article outlines some of the findings of a study of ten women who experienced sibling incest as children. Using qualitative research methods, this study explores the nature of the sibling incest relationship, how the incest occurred, the family environment, the effects suffered and the participants’ experience of intervention. For the majority of women, the effects of unwanted sibling incest were similar to the effects of parent-child incest. The participants provided important perspectives on both intervention and prevention strategies that would assist with the problem of sibling incest.

This study aims to link the perspective of those who have experienced sibling incest with some implications for professional practice.

Child abuse and neglect is a complex problem that requires a sophisticated treatment response. Utilising comprehensive research literature, the Abused Child Trust has developed a model for intervening with families in which maltreatment is a major concern. The intervention program operates on a multidisciplinary model, and incorporates counselling, specialised educational support, and health care. The service at Contact House is presented in detail, to serve as a stimulus for discussion as to the appropriate level of service required by at-risk families.

This article attempts to identify and discuss the most crucial factors in child sexual abuse intervention. Parieto’s 80/20 rule is used to identify the two individual and two family factors which have the greatest potential to effect significant change when issues around father/daughter sexual abuse are being addressed.

I was born in NSW and was apart of the assimilation policies of the late 1960s onwards. My experiences with this have always been negative, but I have managed somehow to stay positive with life. This, I believe, is where my identity has given me strength, my dreamtime has supported me and life generally has been a rollercoaster ride.