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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Victoria's child protection system failings exposed after 35 child deaths

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A report in Victoria, Australia, revealed that 35 children died after being subject to hundreds of child protection referrals, most of which were closed.
  • The Commission for Children and Young People's report, "Left Behind," found these children fell through the cracks of an overwhelmed system.
  • The commission called for increased government funding and tailored services, noting that family services met only one-third of demand.

Victoria's child protection system has failed 35 children who died despite hundreds of referrals, with most cases closed because they were not deemed at significant risk. The "Left Behind" report by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) highlights systemic failings that allowed vulnerable children to slip through the cracks.

Most reports were assessed as not being at significant risk nor requiring a statutory response from child protection and were closed.

— Commission for Children and Young PeopleDescribing the outcome of most referrals for the 35 children in the report.

The report reviewed 35 children who had at least two referrals each, totaling 267 referrals. Alarmingly, the majority, 237, were closed at intake or investigation. The commission stated that these reports were assessed as not being at significant risk, yet all 35 children exhibited escalating risk factors over time, including family violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues.

Multiple re-reports for all children and young people concerned suggest that reports were closed prematurely and/or the service system was unable to engage or support the family to make a consistent positive change.

— Commission for Children and Young PeopleAnalyzing the pattern of repeated referrals for the children in the study.

"Multiple re-reports for all children and young people concerned suggest that reports were closed prematurely and/or the service system was unable to engage or support the family to make a consistent positive change," the report noted. Common causes of death included accidents, suicide, and illness. Aboriginal children were disproportionately represented, and 23% had disabilities or complex medical needs.

The deaths of these children were preventable. They were seen, reported, referred, and left behind.

— Janise MitchellChief executive of the Australian Childhood Foundation, commenting on the report's findings.

Janise Mitchell, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, stated, "The deaths of these children were preventable. They were seen, reported, referred, and left behind." The CCYP urged the Victorian government to boost funding and provide more tailored counseling and family violence services, as existing family support services met only a third of last year's demand. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn defended essential workers, cautioning against suggestions that demonize them.

Today's report must be a line in the sand. Victoria cannot keep asking children and young people to survive violence, survive the system and then survive the lifelong impacts of being left behind.

— Janise MitchellChief executive of the Australian Childhood Foundation, calling for systemic change.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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