Child sexual abuse is common in Australia. The best evidence of this comes from the 2023 Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), which surveyed 8,500 Australians aged 16 and over. The ACMS found 28.5% of the national population has experienced sexual abuse before age 18 by any person (adult…

The findings of landmark research from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) have been publicly launched on the 4th April 2023. The launch coincided with the release of a special supplement about the Australian Child Maltreatment Study in the Medical Journal of Australia, and was attended by senior…

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), led by Professor Ben Mathews in collaboration with a team of international researchers, is undertaking a nationwide survey to identify the prevalence of child abuse and its health impacts. The $2.8 million study, funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council,…

Professor Ben Mathews’s research on the law relating to child abuse and neglect has influenced legislative reform and policy development across Australia and internationally, including reforms to mandatory reporting laws and laws relating to civil claims for injury through child sexual abuse. Mandatory reporting of suspected abuse Each…