Our Work

Child abuse and neglect is one of Australia’s most misunderstood social problems. The incidence of abuse and neglect is not well known because it is under-reported. Substantiated data indicate that a child is abused or neglected every 11 minutes in Australia. The trauma from abuse and neglect can negatively impact children’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development. Without intervention, this can lead to lifelong problems including mental and physical ill health, unemployment, substance misuse, incarceration and suicide.

The most concerning abuse and neglect statistics are the disproportionate numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the child protection system, both in out-of-home care and as the subjects of investigations and assessments. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018-2019 child protection data indicate that compared with non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples are: } 6 times as likely to be substantiated for harm; } 9 times as likely to be on care and protective orders; and } 11 times more likely to be removed from family, community and cultures and placed in out-of-home-care. Established in 1988, Act for Kids’ purpose is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect. We provide prevention, early intervention and therapy services for children and families who have experienced, or are at risk of child abuse and neglect. Our services include child protection safe houses in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, multidisciplinary trauma-informed therapy, intensive family support and specialised education programs. Act for Kids employs over 400 team members with approximately 30% identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. We are a national organisation operating from over 28 locations across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

We are committed to providing respectful and appropriate client services and a workplace environment that is culturally safe for all our team members. Our vision is that all kids have a safe and happy childhood, free from abuse and neglect.

“Established in 1988, Act For Kids’ purpose is to prevent and treat child abuse and neglect.”

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill National Park) QLD Photo credit: Berkeley Cox

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2018-2019 child protection data indicate that compared with non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young peoples are:

6TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE SUBSTANTIATED FOR HARM 9 TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE ON CARE AND PROTECTION ORDERS 11 TIMES AS LIKELY TO BE REMOVED FROM FAMILY, COMMUNITY AND CULTURES AND PLACED IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE