An Aboriginal community's perceptions and experiences of child neglect in a rural town

Abstract

Very little is known about how Aboriginal parents experiencing vulnerabilities and communities perceive child neglect, despite Aboriginal families being highly overrepresented in the child protection system. This research investigates the perceptions and experiences of child neglect from Aboriginal parents and human services workers in a rural community. Research methods consisted of community forums and interviews with parents and workers. One community forum developed interview guides and vignettes, and the second discussed and interpreted findings. Between the two forums, in-depth interviews were conducted with 18Aboriginal parents and nine Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers. Overall Aboriginal parents perceived child neglect in a similar way to Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal workers.Violence and substance abuse were main risk factors for child neglect, and intergenerational trauma, racism and discrimination, and feeling powerless were prevalent in the community. The paper concludes that there are little differences in the way Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people understand child neglect. Instead it is the difficult circumstances experienced by Aboriginal families that keep parents from actualising their parenting expectations. The implications of these findings when working with Aboriginal families and communities are also discussed. K E Y W O R D Saboriginal people, child welfare, communities, parents, social work

Aboriginal parents' experiences of having their children removed by statutory child protection services

“…A total of 18 parents and 14 service providers were interviewed in this research that investigated Aboriginal perceptions of child neglect (Newton, 2017). A series of questions in the interview schedule explored the experiences of child removal for when interview participants volunteered that their children had been removed by statutory child protection services, NSW FACS.…”

“…In these contexts, parents are often labelled as neglecting their children, and the risk of child removal is very high (Newton, 2019). The high rates of poverty, domestic and family violence, substance abuse and incarcerations are recognized as contributing to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children who come into care (Newton, 2017, p. 264). These factors are directly related to past and ongoing injustices and traumas experienced by many Aboriginal people and communities.…”

A Review of Literature on the Involvement of Children from Indigenous Communities in Anglo Child Welfare Systems: 1973-2018

“…The majority of the articles focus on sexual abuse or neglect. The neglect-focused articles explore associated risk factors, articulate divergent perceptions and definitions of neglect, and examine implications for Indigenous children (Evans-Campbell, 2008;Nelson et al, 1996;Newton, 2017;Slee, 2001). The research focusing on sexual abuse covers topics such as the correlates of sexual abuse, divergent perceptions and experiences of disclosing sexual abuse, the ways in which both communities and legal institutions silence and marginalize victims, and a lack of appropriate services in Indigenous communities (Bailey et al, 2015;Hamilton et al, 2016;Hodgson, 1990;Smallwood, 1995;Stanley et al, 2003).…”

The Power of Authenticity and Cultural Safety at the Intersection of Healthcare and Child Protection

“…Compounding these are the widespread difficulties, noted in recent inquiries, in accessing early intervention/prevention services prior to or after they come into contact with child protection authorities (see, for example, Cummins et al 2012; Queensland Child Protection Commission of Inquiry 2013; Tune 2016). There is evidence that many First Nations parents fear child protection interventions and the prospect of removal of their children, and are sometimes reluctant to access available help (Cox 2007;Davis 2019;Newton 2017). Their fears and distrust can be misinterpreted as unwillingness to engage in intervention efforts and thereby amplify protective risk assessments, leading to removal of children or failure to return children home, thereby increasing disproportionality for First Nations children as they progress through the protective system.…”