Therapy implications of child abuse in multi-risk families

Abstract

Objectives: Our aim is to critique Australian child maltreatment policy, outline abuse trends and provide data on family risk factors. Method: We identified policy gaps and reviewed family profiles within selective child maltreatment databases. Data sources included international and Australian literature, Queensland Department of Child Safety reports and a research clinical database. Results: Data reviewed suggest that a pattern of co-occurring complex multiple system family problems characterize substantiated abuse cases. Conclusions: The presence of multiple family problems suggests the need for a new treatment paradigm. Multisystemic Therapy for child physical abuse and neglect is an evidence-based intervention that matches the therapeutic needs of such families. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2013.