Media Release
November 18 2007
Confront alcohol abuse – for the kids’ sake
Preventing
parental alcohol abuse is the most urgent challenge in stemming the tide
of child abuse and neglect in Australia. Tackling this issue requires
hard-hitting strategies and policies delivering a clear message that
alcohol and children do not mix.
Speaking on World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse,
Professor Dorothy Scott, Director of the
Australian
Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia,
said an estimated 13 per cent of Australian children live in a household
where they are regularly exposed to binge drinking by at least one
adult.
“This is not just an Indigenous or low socio-economic problem as some
people tend to think, but a whole community problem in Australian
society,” Prof Scott said.
“Our society is in complete denial about the dangers of alcohol abuse.
Our governments are so addicted to the alcohol dollar that they avoid
the very measures which could reduce the damage such as banning alcohol
advertising, reducing liquor outlets and increased pricing.
“Alcohol abuse by parents can corrode young children to the core of
their being. It contributes to every form of child maltreatment.
“Very large numbers of children are emotionally abused by witnessing
alcohol-fuelled domestic violence.
“Unfortunately parental intoxication makes children far more vulnerable
to physical assault, sexual abuse and neglect.
“Severe physical abuse is also being inflicted on an increasing number
of children who are permanently brain damaged as a result of
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. These babies are incubated in alcohol.”
Prof Scott also highlights that many children find they are robbed of
their childhood because they are caring for their parents with serious
alcohol related health problems, or having to protect and care for their
brothers and sisters.
“Too often alcohol abuse becomes an intergenerational tragedy in the
family,” she said.
Prof Scott believes that unless action is taken on alcohol, we will
continue to see escalating numbers of children referred to child
protection services. This will result in more children being brought
into State care, too late for intervention with the damage already done.
“The Australian Government’s
National Drug Strategy
does not address the needs of children of parents with an alcohol or
drug dependence. Treatment services urgently need more funds and better
training if the needs of children are to be met.
“Unless parental alcohol abuse is tackled as a serious issue, the long
term economic burden for Australia will be enormous but most
importantly, the human cost paid by many children will be catastrophic.”
Contact for interview
- Professor Dorothy Scott office (08) 8302 4143 mobile 0411 779 739 email dorothy.scott@unisa.edu.au
Media contact
- Lisa McDonald office (08) 8302 4063 mobile 0434 367 876 email mcdonald.lisa@unisa.edu.au