Data sources and quality
This page provides a high-level overview of the data sources that inform this Framework, as outlined in the indicators and measures on the What makes up the Framework page. These indicators and measures will be used to directly determine whether progress is being made towards the National Strategy’s objective. This information has been included to provide further insight and transparency regarding where and how this data is sourced, and allows ease of access to our sources for stakeholders, researchers, those with lived experiences and the general public.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Recorded crime – Victims
The Recorded Crime – Victims data collection is produced annually by the ABS and includes statistics relating to victims of crime for a selected range of offences as recorded by police. These offences may have been reported by a victim, witness or other person, or they may have been detected by police.
Statistics are created from data held in administrative systems. Data are collected and maintained by police agencies within each state and territory and compiled according to the National Crime Recording Standard to maximise consistency. It is then compiled by the ABS for release as a national collection.
As the Recorded Crime – Victims data are released annually, it will be reported on under the Framework for the period of 2021–2032.
Further information is available on the ABS website.
Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE)
ACCE reporting of child exploitation material
To better understand online child sexual exploitation, the ACCCE commissioned market research into the current awareness, perceptions and attitudes of online child sexual exploitation in Australia with the research report published in February 2020. Participants included parents and carers, siblings (aged 18–21 years) of children and young people, educators, health professionals and community members.
In addition to this, each financial year highlights of key achievements for the ACCCE are published on their website.
As this ACCCE data are updated annually, it will be reported on under the Framework for the period of 2021–2032.
Further information is available on the ACCCE website.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
Specialist Homelessness Services collection
The Specialist Homelessness Services data collection (SHSC) includes information on people seeking and receiving services from agencies that receive funding under the National Affordable Housing Agreement or the former National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. Data are collected about clients of specialist homelessness agencies and some information about unassisted people, that is, those who seek services and do not receive services at that time.
SHSC summary monthly data are reported quarterly with the latest release for March 2024. Detailed data are released annually with the latest release for the 2022–23 financial period. These data will be reported on under the Framework for the period of 2021–2032.
Further information is available on the AIHW website, and a data quality statement is available on the AIHW Metadata Online Registry.
ESafety Commissioner
ESafety annual reporting of child sexual exploitation
This eSafety annual report provides details of the eSafety’s performance over the reporting period in relation to their key activities.
Annual reports are prepared in line with the requirements for annual reports for entities under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
As this eSafety data are updated annually, it will be reported on under the Framework for the period of 2021–2032.
Further information is available on the eSafety Commissioner website.
National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Community attitudes towards child sexual abuse
The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse is conducting the Community Attitudes Towards Child Sexual Abuse Study. The Study will collect a nationally representative baseline measurement of the population’s attitudes towards, knowledge of, and capacity to respond to child sexual abuse, victims and survivors’ needs, and children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviours.
The multi-phased mixed-method study includes two population surveys, with the first data collection in 2023 and a second wave approximately 2 years later in 2025. It will also include a qualitative exploratory study (Phase 2 in 2024).
Further information is available on the National Centre website.
Queensland University of Technology
Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS)
The ACMS is a joint research project through the collaboration of the Queensland University of Technology with the National Health and Medical Research Council, The Social Research Centre, and the Australian Government. It aims to identify for the first time how many Australians in the general population experienced any of the five types of child abuse and neglect (physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence).
The ACMS is a cross-sectional retrospective survey which used computer-assisted telephone interview surveys to interview 10,000 Australians (including 5,000 young people aged 16–24) about their experiences of child abuse and neglect. Data were collected between 9 April–11 October 2021.
In addition to capturing prevalence data, the ACMS identified long term mental and physical health outcomes associated with exposure to child abuse and neglect. It will also calculate the burden of disease, or real costs, of maltreatment over the course of the lifespan.
Current ACMS data is for 2021, with a second wave in development (for further information on the second wave of the ACMS see Key data gaps and priorities for data development chapter).
Further information is available on the ACMS website.