‘Heartbreaking’ effect of poverty on SA kids revealed in Leave No One Behind report

Even basic menstrual products are out of reach for thousands of poverty-stricken SA children, as a harrowing new report reveals what life is really like for the poor kids at school.

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The “heartbreaking” impact of poverty on South Australian children and youth — including no “good” food, sanitary products or “clean” clothes — is revealed in a state-first report issued today.

SA Commissioner for Children and Young People Helen Connolly, who wrote the report, says there is a need for emergency action from relevant state government and non-government groups to address the devastating long-term impact of poverty on children.

“It’s not rocket science,” she said. “To choose not to address their needs with commitment and determination is simply not acceptable.”

More than 1400 South Australians aged 12 to 22 reveal their experiences of poverty as recently as June this year in the report.

One of the report’s most alarming findings is the growing problem of “period poverty” — girls and young women unable to afford monthly sanitary products for menstruation.

Ms Connolly said girls and young woman had reported using whatever they could find — tissues, toilet paper and cloth.

“Girls talked about how these items were expensive and that on a limited income, a choice between sanitary pads and food on the table was always won by food,” she said.

Children’s, women’s and school advocates said period poverty was unsanitary, lacked dignity, and was potentially costing girls up to 12 weeks of missed school each year.

Ms Connolly said IT poverty was also raised in the report, including children forced to spend lunch time in the library completing homework, adding to the stigma of disadvantage.

Unemployment, high living costs and single-parent households were among the top five reasons for poverty listed by children and youth in the Commissioner’s Leave No One Behind report.

They said “nice things”, bills and school extras were among the first casualties of a tight family budget and that children from refugee backgrounds were most vulnerable to poverty.

The report, released to mark Anti-Poverty Week, makes six key recommendations including a state government audit tool quantifying the cumulative cost of education, school by school, published each year.

Free public transport for school-card holders, extending hardship programs by telcos to include internet vouchers and free, easily accessible and non-stigmatising provision of sanitary products to female school students were also recommended.

“It was heartbreaking to see how commonplace poverty was among children and youth and how many of them had become ‘little shock absorbers’ for their families,” Ms Connolly said.

“Children are giving up school camps, excursions and playing sport or an instrument because they are acutely aware of the poverty stress their families are under — so they just miss out.”

The report will be tabled in parliament and distributed to all state government ministers and the Opposition.