The cost of living crisis may be behind an increase in child abuse cases and more steps need to be taken to continue educating the community about prevention, a leading child protection expert has warned.
Adina Margolis, a social worker and team leader at the Child Protection Unit at the Sydney Children’s Hospital, said while training and education designed to pick up on signs of child abuse earlier had improved, more could still be done.
“With society becoming more of a stressful environment [and] so many people experiencing financial hardship and … long hours and the [impact on] the balance of parents and working, I feel like there is an increase in children who are [being referred],” Margolis told Central News.
“But I actually wonder if … it’s just we see more cases referred because people are so much more aware.”
Child maltreatment in Australia is widespread, with roughly three in 10 people surveyed between the ages of 16 and 24 reporting either physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence or emotional abuse, according to a 2023 report by the Australian Child Maltreatment Study.
“One in three girls experience child sexual abuse and almost one in five boys,” she added. “[But] for me, the statistics that worry me the most is often Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children are over-represented, particularly [when in] out-of-home care. That does concern me.”
Education is one of the most important strategies, and on so many levels – children getting educated, parents getting educated, teachers, healthcare workers.
With 22 years of expertise in the field, Margolis channels her empathy into leading a dedicated team. Her unit counsels children admitted to the hospital, tackling everything from neglect to physical and sexual abuse, conducting vital risk assessments alongside medical teams, and supporting foster children with comprehensive health assessments.
“Raising awareness on the issues is such an important step in prevention,” she said. “Then we can identify things earlier and monitor things.
“It’s around having the conversations, but then putting it into action, making people feel more confident in identifying things, or looking at strategies for how can we address, the vulnerability in communities? What can we actually do?
“Education is one of the most important [strategies], and on so many levels – children getting educated, parents getting educated, teachers, healthcare workers.
“We’ve come such a long way, [but] those are all layers of safety.”
Margolis’ career began in Cape Town, South Africa, where she studied social work and psychology at the honours level before immigrating to Australia in 2001. Growing up during Apartheid ignited an intense, lifelong passion for social justice within her—a passion that fuels her daily work.
“The legacy of Apartheid left so many South Africans deeply disadvantaged… I believe it was this experience, coupled with having a family with strong community ties, that contributed to a deep sense of empathy and a strong desire to support those who often don’t have a voice,” Margolis said. “Studying social work seemed like the correct path for me to embark on.”
| Australian Child Maltreatment Report (2023) |
| 62.2% of the Australian population has experienced at least one type of child maltreatment. |
A counselling room in the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Photo supplied.
While the nature of child protection is mentally tough, Margolis said she finds immense joy and strength in the community she has built. She credits a tight-knit team, who she said look after one another’s mental health fiercely, and her supportive family, as the pillars that keep her inspired.
Though the legal system can be frustrating, Margolis said she loves ensuring young victims feel believed and protected, no matter the legal outcome.
She added empowering others through education, advocating for better childcare policies or helping people feel confident in identifying risks, could drive proactive change.
The most satisfying part of her job, she said, is meeting people at the absolute hardest points of their lives, connecting with them, and watching them heal and move forward.
“It doesn’t matter if you come from a wealthy area or whether you’re from different cultures, child protection can affect anyone,” she said.
Main image by Georgina Diamond.
