The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), a national survey of the prevalence of child maltreatment and its correlates: methodology

• DOI: 10.5694/mja2.51869
• Publication Date: 2023-04-02T14:01:35Z
• Authors: Divna M Haslam; David M Lawrence; Ben Mathews; Daryl J Higgins; Anna Hunt; James G Scott; Michael P Dunne; Holly E Erskine; Hannah J Thomas; David Finkelhor; Rosana Pacella; Franziska Meinck; Eva Malacova
• Keywords: Physical abuse; Marital status

Abstract Objectives To describe the aims, design, methodology, and respondent sample representativeness of Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS). Design, setting Cross‐sectional, retrospective survey; computer‐assisted mobile telephone interviewing using random digit dialling (computer‐generated), Australia, 9 April – 11 October 2021. Participants People aged 16 years or more. The target size was 8500 respondents: 3500 people 16–24 1000 respondents each from five further age groups (25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, 65 more). Main outcome measures Primary outcomes: Emotional abuse, neglect, physical sexual exposure to domestic violence during childhood, assessed with Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire‐R2 Adapted Version (Australian Study). Secondary selected mental disorder diagnoses (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI), health conditions, risk behaviours, service use. Results demographic characteristics ACMS were similar those population in 2016 respect gender, Indigenous status, region remoteness category residence, marital but larger proportions participants born lived areas higher socio‐economic had tertiary qualifications, income greater than $1250 per week. Population weights derived adjust for these differences. Associations between number calls required recruit maltreatment rates outcomes not statistically significant. Conclusions provides first reliable estimates prevalence type child Australia. These estimates, associated behaviours reported this supplement can inform policy practice initiatives reducing its consequences. Our benchmark study also baseline data repeated waves that will assess effectiveness initiatives.