Abstract
ABSTRACTCumulative harm remains a significant child protection concern yet effective responses across the protective and legal domains in Australia are negligible. This article reports on a study of cumulative harm in the Victorian child protection system and the factors contributing to recognition of such cases for intervention and decision-making, and how they moved both through the child protection system, and were responded to by the courts. An audit of case files from Victorian child protection offices and a series of focus groups was conducted April to October 2017. Cumulative harm cases generally closed at intake because no immediate or significant risk to the child, in legal terms, could be established or support for ongoing statutory concern justified. Greater clarification around the definition and urgency of cumulative harm in legislation and best interest principles is suggested, to allow a more holistic understanding of harm and the impacts of long-term maltreatment, emphasising early intervention before there is cumulative impact.
Published Version
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