By: Leah Balbin
Emotinal abuse continues to be the most common form of child abuse in Australia.
Picture: Leah Balbin
EMOTIONAL abuse continues to be the most common form of child abuse experienced in Australia.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there are 17,600 reported cases of emotional abuse in Australia, compared to 9,900 reported cases of physical abuse.
A Department of Human Services Child Protection social worker, who did not want to be named, said child abuse is an ongoing problem in Australia.
“We see so many horrific cases of abuse. Emotional abuse is definitely the most common but we see all types of abuse and so much more needs to be done.”
Many cases of child abuse continue to go unreported in Australia each year she said.
“Sometimes it is because they are scared of the ramifications of disclosing the abuse and sometimes the behavior is so normalized they don’t know it is actually abuse,” she said.
There are many long-term effects that children who have experienced abuse have to endure and manage for the rest of their lives, the social worker said.
“Kids who have been abused can also be physically different in that their brain development actually gets stunted.”
In Australia, Victoria has the highest rate of substantiated emotional abuse cases, followed by New South Wales.
Primary substantiated harm types in Australia.
Source: Australian Institute of Family Studies
Personal trainer and abuse victim, Avi Yemini said he experienced physical and emotional abuse from his father his whole childhood.
“I was beaten with a belt daily. I was kicked out of home and excommunicated from my family,” Mr Yemini said.
“I was a sad and lonely child. I have a few good memories, most of which were outside the home,” he said.
Mr Yemini said he was diagnosed with PTSD as a result which he manages through counselling.
“I first turned to drugs. I was a heroin addict for a number of years. Later I started counselling and still do today,” Mr Yemini said.
Mr Yemini is an advocate for action against child abuse in his community.
Mr Yemini has posted videos on Facebook talking about his abuse to try and give strength to those who experienced abuse.
“I think the conversation needs to start. All abuse matters and as a community we need to work together to fight it.”
“I want to see an ongoing conversation where victims are heard. Where strategies, ideas and solutions are discussed and implemented to ensure that all children are safe,” he said.
Mr Yemini runs IDF training, a Krav Maga school and gym which teaches self defence based on his experiences in the Israeli army.
The Victorian state government recently allocated $283 million in funding over five years for programs and services targeting Victorian families, children and young people.
Child abuse statistics in Australia.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
Leah Chaiton 