"Child protection crisis demands action now"
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- Category: Uncategorised
- Created: Saturday, 15 March 2014 13:20
- Written by The Age - Editorial
Editorial
A few weeks ago, the Commissioner for Children, Bernie Geary, began an investigation into why so many children in state care are sexually exploited and assaulted by other children and adult predators. It is not the first such inquiry in this state, and it probably will not be the last. Even Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge, who two years ago announced plans for big reforms to child protection, concedes the exploitation of children in state-sponsored residential care is ''a long-term, perennial issue''.
Mr Geary, though, believes Victoria faces a ''crisis'' in child protection. It is evident in the rising number of children and young adults going into state care (about 6000 now and the number may hit 8000 by 2018), and in the failure to implement or fully fund strategies that could improve these children's lives. The scale of the problem and its profound implications do not seem to be fully appreciated by the community or government.
Late last year Mr Geary warned the minister that, despite sound laws and well-intentioned policy initiatives, the financial and staffing resources for safeguarding vulnerable or at-risk children was inadequate. Coverage across the state was patchy. A comprehensive response was needed urgently, he said. Failing that, another inquiry would have to probe why these children and young adults ''did not get the support and care they deserved from a First World society''.
It is potent criticism, especially in light of the many inquiries in recent years into child protection. Ombudsman George Brouwer published excoriating reports in 2009 and 2010 after receiving an extraordinary number of complaints about abuse and neglect of children in state care. He found instances of children being physically and sexually assaulted by guardians, foster carers, staff in residential care or by other children. He also found evidence that children had been lured into committing sexual acts with adults and had engaged in prostitution while in care. Mr Brouwer pointed to systemic deficiencies, especially in the way the Department of Human Services assessed the degree of risk to children.
A subsequent judicial inquiry put forward scores of recommendations for change. To its credit, the Baillieu government devised a package of initiatives, but it is estimated that less than half the proposed reforms have been fully funded and implemented.
Mr Geary concedes he is ''sick of it''. He wants our community to be one that ''values these children more than they value roads and bridges and tunnels''. For example, a strategy that can help is therapeutic care for children in residential care. Many are highly traumatised. Yet only 50 of the 600 children in residential care have ready access to therapeutic care.
There is simply not enough money allocated, and there is not enough commitment to roll out programs and facilities across the state. There is not enough of anything.
It seems too many people consider the dysfunctional and troubled world of children in state care is something far removed from their own lives; the presumption seems to be that someone is looking after them. Yet these surely are the most vulnerable members of our community. Without proper care, education, therapy and proper attention to developing personal skills, many will end up with hopelessly broken lives or in jail. There is every reason to redouble our efforts to ensure they are safe.
Government has the primary duty of care, and it must do everything in its power to safeguard the children's interests without trampling on their rights. Successive Labor governments did too little, so it is a bit rich for Labor's Daniel Andrews to criticise Ms Wooldridge as he did this week. But the Napthine government must turn its mind to this in the forthcoming budget. The needs are urgent in this critical area.
