Future Generation: Tackling Child Maltreatment in Australia

Future Generation Australia (FGX), a philanthropic investment company, has donated a staggering $87.2 million to charity since its inception in 2014. Now, FGX is on the hunt for new non-profit partners to fund, amidst shocking levels of child maltreatment and abuse in Australia. The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) revealed that four out of five types of child maltreatment are widespread, with physical abuse (32.0%), sexual abuse (28.5%), emotional abuse (30.9%), and exposure to domestic violence (39.6%) being particularly prevalent. Neglect (8.9%) was the least common. These alarming figures underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address child maltreatment and abuse in Australia.

FGX's latest initiative focuses on supporting children facing adversity to thrive. The organization is seeking expressions of interest from non-profits working in the emergent field of positive childhood experiences. By investing in organizations that promote healthy relationships and connections, FGX aims to build sturdy brain architecture, leading to improved learning, behavior, and overall health. This targeted approach aligns with the ACMS's findings, which show that positive childhood experiences can help children overcome and heal from trauma.

The ACMS also highlighted the severe, long-lasting impacts of child maltreatment on mental health, risk behaviors, and health service utilization. A University of Sydney study estimated that child maltreatment causes up to 40% of common mental conditions, including anxiety, depression, harmful alcohol and drug use, self-harm, and suicide attempts. The economic cost of child maltreatment in Australia is estimated to be $36.7 billion per year, with $17.6 billion attributed to health costs and $19.1 billion to productivity losses. Addressing child maltreatment is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity.

FGX's commitment to untied, multi-year funding and capacity-building capital enables partner organizations to deepen their impact and collaborate for greater collective outcomes. By focusing on children aged 0 to 14, particularly those aged 8-14 who have traditionally received less attention and funding, FGX aims to make a meaningful and useful contribution to addressing child maltreatment and fostering positive childhood experiences.

In conclusion, Future Generation Australia's latest initiative to fund non-profits working in the field of positive childhood experiences is a critical step towards addressing the widespread issue of child maltreatment and abuse in Australia. By investing in organizations that promote healthy relationships and connections, FGX aims to mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences and foster resilience in affected individuals. This targeted investment approach, informed by the ACMS's evidence, enables FGX to make a meaningful and useful contribution to addressing child maltreatment and fostering positive childhood experiences.