Teen’s abuse case exposes child safety failure

The state’s child safety system failed to protect a vulnerable boy. He then went on to perpetrate unthinkable and violent sexual crimes against other innocent children.

THE state’s child safety system failed to protect a vulnerable boy.

He then went on to perpetrate unthinkable and violent sexual crimes against other innocent children.

A massive failure in the child protection system has been exposed at the sentencing of an 18-year-old man convicted of multiple rape and indecent treatment of a child offences.

The 18-year-old was jailed on Friday and will spend the next two years in an adult prison for offences committed when he was 14 and 15 against four children aged between six and 10.

His offending was detailed to Townsville’s Childrens Court on Friday where a judge was told the boy’s godparents took him in late 2017 after his father died.

“Almost immediately” the teenager began abusing their three children and a family friend with the details of the offending too graphic to publish.

His defence barrister Michael Hibble said details of the offending made it clear his client was exposed to concerning sexual behaviour at a young age.

“This is in my submission learned behaviour you can’t escape the obvious statement my client has obviously been exposed to this,” he said.

Sad child, domestic violence, sex abuse concept. Generic picture from istock. No identification.

He referenced a Youth Justice pre-sentence report which noted a Child Safety investigation into the boy’s family in 2005.

Mr Hibble said the investigation was launched when the child displayed frequent “sexualised behaviours” after overnight visits with a family member.

“My client was two in 2005 and if he had sexualised behaviour when he was two it is fairly obvious something untoward and sinister had been happening to him,” he said.

“We don’t have a sexual offender monster in the dock because he just woke up one morning.

“We have a sexual offender in the dock because of his environment and his exposure to things when he was a child.”

Mr Hibble said his client put up a “wall”and did not discuss his past and denied his own offending.

The court was told the Child Safety investigation was ultimately not substantiated but that there was a “significant gap” in contact with the department despite the boy’s name being referenced in a previous child abuse prosecution of an extended family member.

Mr Hibble said that despite the clear signs there did not appear to be any evidence the boy was offered any assistance. .

Sad child, domestic violence, sex abuse concept. Generic picture from istock. No identification.

“It seems the department was effectively happy to not have any control until this offend(ing) came to light,” Mr Hibble said.

“It says in the report., there is a significant gap in Child Safety after 2005 there is no reference to what my client’s life was like from two years of age.

“The department clearly had knowledge in 2005, yet the family took (the boy) in unknowing, not knowing at all what potential problems there could be,” Mr Hibble said.

Opposition Child Protection Minister Amanda Camm said in the boy’s case all parties had been failed by the system.

“Child Safety has one role and that is to ensure children are protected,” she said.

Ms Camm said more children were in state care than ever before. She noted “concerning reports that foster and kinship carers felt unsupported when caring for children with complex needs from highly traumatised situations.

“It it’s is the culture, resourcing and practical way in which the department interacts with children, carers and families that is critical to ensure those most vulnerable protected. “

Originally published as Teen’s abuse case exposes child safety failure