Article type: Original Research
28 August 2020
Volume 45 Issue 4
Article type: Original Research
28 August 2020
Volume 45 Issue 4
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The social and economic origins of child abuse and neglect
Frank Ainsworth1 * 
Affiliations
1 James Cook University, Townsville Campus, Queensland, 4811, Australia
Correspondence
*Dr Frank Ainsworth
Contributions
Frank Ainsworth -
Frank Ainsworth1 *
Affiliations
1 James Cook University, Townsville Campus, Queensland, 4811, Australia
Correspondence
*Dr Frank Ainsworth
Part of Special Series: Special Issue: Poverty and Child Abuse
CITATION: Ainsworth F. (2020). The social and economic origins of child abuse and neglect. Children Australia, 45(4), 2237. doi.org/10.1017/cha.2020.36
Abstract
This commentary aims to start a debate about various dimensions of social disadvantage and the relationship to child abuse and neglect (CAN). These dimensions include poverty, educational attainment, employment status, sub-standard housing, disadvantaged neighbourhoods and social isolation from family. Other aspects such as mental health issues, domestic violence and substance misuse are compounding factors that are critical influences on the relationship between disadvantage and CAN. New South Wales is used as the exemplar Australian state.