The construction of silence Concerns about juvenile crime and juvenile justice have attracted the most intense public interest in Australia over recent years. This has come about largely as a result of a deep sense of public concern over a ‘law and order crisis’ generated by ‘rising juvenile crime’, ‘crime waves’, ‘youth gangs’ and so forth, as well as from more general worries associated with the social problems of homelessness, teenage suicide and youth unemployment (Polk 1993, Presdee 1990, Cunneen & White 1995).

This is the second of three articles dealing with the co-ordination of services for children and adolescents suffering with emotional and behavioural disturbance. It describes the structures, process and findings of a Project established by State Government agencies in Western Metropolitan Melbourne during 1992-1993. The aim of the Project was to develop a model of co-ordinated services to better meet the needs of this group. The third article will describe the model.

This article considers the empirical results of educational productivity research conducted by a team of researchers from Australia and the United States in the mid 1980s. Based on nine factors identified by this research, three issues that highlight the important educative role of parents, namely, the quality of the home learning environment, homework support and monitoring television viewing are discussed.

In order for family day caregivers to increase the status of their profession, they require knowledge of early childhood and confidence in themselves in the work they do. The Certificate in Childcare (Homebased) was developed to be relevant to childcare in the home rather than centre based child care, to be offered in flexible mode with flexible entry and exit points.

It is proposed that a professional attitude influences the level of skill of caregivers. The study aimed to monitor whether the course can impact on caregivers' skills, and on how they view their profession. The study was based on an assessment of the child care skills of 58 caregivers which is part of the course requirements. Students were supervised and rated on their performance using the Harms and Clifford Rating Scale for Family Day Care. 70% of students were considered to have demonstrated the required level of competence.

Caregivers were also interviewed regarding their attitudes towards the course. Caregivers felt that the course gave them more status and most had plans for further study. Such positive changes can only benefit children and families using Family Day Care

This paper addresses the question: Are the consequences of child sexual abuse moderated or exacerbated by the family, the legal system and other support structures which are involved following disclosure? To answer this question, the present study employs a methodology which enables the young women to discuss their experiences and feelings in each of these areas. Through a four stage interview process, in- depth data was gathered from five young women whose cases had been dealt with through the legal system, and from their mothers.

Given that little research has been undertaken in this area, particularly in Australia, the current work focuses on the ability of these groups to provide acceptance and validation subsequent to disclosure, and the resulting responses of the young women. The study concludes with a discussion on the effects of the response of the family, the legal system and other support on the young women, and raises some issues crucial to addressing societal response to child sexual abuse. Suggestions for further research are also offered.

The article is one of a number of articles stemming from a Ph.D research project researching learning and emotional difficulties amongst year eight students at a State High School in Adelaide. Twenty students identified as having learning and behaviour difficulties are participating in an alternative program for two days a week. The program involves camping, outdoor education and a good deal of intensive ‘direct instruction’ in basic literacy and numeracy. It is anticipated that this program will serve as a model for other state schools developing alternative programs for disaffected adolescent students.

Words not only describe and define events, but also describe and define those who use them. Recent media coverage of the rescue of an American Air Force Captain from Serb-held Northern Bosnia, and the slaughter of a family in Melbourne by a severely disturbed man used the term ‘Rambo’ for both stories. In the same newspaper, the activities of child molesters in Asia were described under the heading ‘Child love’. The importance of the words used to describe assaults on children was recognised in a recent Victorian Crime Prevention committee report.