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Prevalence of diverse genders and sexualities in Australia and associations with five forms of child maltreatment and multi-type maltreatment
Higgins, Daryl J. Lawrence, David Haslam, Divna M. Mathews, Ben Malacova, Eva Erskine, Holly E. Finkelhor, David Pacella, Rosana Meinck, Franziska Thomas, Hannah J.
Higgins, Daryl J.
Lawrence, David
Haslam, Divna M.
Mathews, Ben
Malacova, Eva
Erskine, Holly E.
Finkelhor, David
Pacella, Rosana
Meinck, Franziska
Thomas, Hannah J.
Abstract
This study presents the most comprehensive national prevalence estimates of diverse gender and sexuality identities in Australians, and the associations with five separate types of child maltreatment and their overlap (multi-type maltreatment). Using Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) data (N = 8503), 9.5% of participants identified with a diverse sexuality and .9% with a diverse gender. Diverse identities were more prevalent in the youth cohort, with 17.7% of 16–24 years olds identifying with a diverse sexuality and 2.3% with a diverse gender. Gender and sexuality diversity also intersect – for example, with women (aged 16–24 and 25–44) more likely than men to identify as bisexual. The prevalence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to domestic violence was very high for those with diverse sexuality and/or gender identities. Maltreatment was most prevalent for participants in the youth cohort with diverse gender identities (90.5% experiencing some form of child maltreatment; 77% multi-type maltreatment) or diverse sexualities (85.3% reporting any child maltreatment; 64.3% multi-type maltreatment). The strong association found between child maltreatment and diverse sexuality and gender identities is critical for understanding the social and mental health vulnerabilities of these groups, and informing services needed to support them.
Keywords
sexual orientation, non-binary, diverse, gender, sexuality, child maltreatment
Date
2024
Type
Journal article
Journal
Child Maltreatment
Book
Volume
30
Issue
1
Page Range
21-41
Article Number
ACU Department
Institute of Child Protection Studies
Faculty of Education and Arts
Faculty of Education and Arts
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Published as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access
Open