The Wire

Content warning: This story discusses child sexual abuse and may distress some people.

A landmark study investigating child abuse and neglect in Australia has revealed girls are at greater risk of most types of maltreatment.

Researchers surveyed about 8 500 Australians and found girls experience more sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect compared to boys. Girls are also more likely to be subjected to multiple forms of abuse.

Key findings about girls:

• More than 37 per cent experience child sexual abuse
• More than 35 per cent experience emotional abuse
• More than 10 per cent experience neglect
• More than 43 per cent experience multiple forms of maltreatment

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