Aboriginal child removal soars

THE rate of Aboriginal child removal from their parents in Victoria exceeds that at any time since white settlement.

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge. Picture: Sarah Matray

THE rate of Aboriginal child removal from their parents in Victoria exceeds that at any time since white settlement, as the Napthine government battles systemic problems with its child-abuse strategy.

The Commission for Children and Young People reported yesterday that nearly one in every six children in out-of-home care in Victoria last year was indigenous. Aboriginal children were 16 times more likely to be in out-of-home care.

A separate report by the Victorian Department of Human Services found there were 64 substantiated quality-of- care cases last financial year, which includes physical or sexual abuse. The numbers do not involve a breakdown of ethnicity or how many were Aboriginal, but add pressure to Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge, who promised to clean up the child- protection system in Victoria.

Of the estimated 6500 children and young people in out-of-home care in Victoria a year ago, about 1040 were Aboriginal. “At current levels, the rate of Aboriginal child removal in Victoria exceeds that at any time since white settlement,’’ the commission reported.

“The Victorian rate of Aboriginal children in out-of-home care is now among the highest in Australia, and is significantly higher than comparable international jurisdictions. Aboriginal children are 16 times more likely than non-Aboriginal children to be in out-of-home care.’’

The rate of increase in Aboriginal children in out-of-home care has been 9.5 per cent, compared with 5.3 per cent for all children. At the same time, the number of child-protection cases for Aboriginal children continues to climb, the commission warning of a soaring problem. It argues that a strengthened Aboriginal community controlled service sector centred on the whole family, community and culture is needed.

“No matter how you present these numbers, they are staggering. More needs to be done to understand why the substantiations are rising and why Aboriginal children are entering child protection.”