23 girls fall pregnant while in state care in South Australia in 2024-25

Pregnancies among girls living under the watch of the state government have almost doubled in the past two years, including a 14-year-old.

A 14-year-old is among a surging number of girls falling pregnant under the state government’s care, The Advertiser can reveal.

The number has almost doubled from 13 in 2023-24 to 23 over the past 12 months.

It is a significant jump from the average 11 teen pregnancies a year in the previous three financial years.

The Sunday Mail understands most of the 23 girls are aged 16 or 17, although the Child Protection Department has not provided a full breakdown.

The youngest girl to become pregnant in 2024-25 was just 14.

The age of consent for sexual activity in South Australia is 17.

It is understood no charges of sexual assault are being pursued in relation to any of the pregnancies.

Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard said she was notified about each case.

She said young people in state care, or who were on the radar of child protection authorities, were “grappling with complex issues” and needed specialised support.

Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard says she has been notified of all teen pregnancies in state care. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

“This includes education, healthcare, family group conferencing before children are born and (other) support programs,” Ms Hildyard said.

One government funded program, Junction’s Young Parent Project, works with under-25s who are either pregnant or have children aged up to five.

Junction CEO Maria Palumbo said many have experienced trauma.

The 16-week program pairs them with mentors who have had similar experiences.

Mother-of-four Danielle Hynes-Stevens is a mentor for Junction’s Young Parent Project. Picture: Supplied

On Junction’s website, mentor Danielle Hynes-Stevens said she would have “really benefited from a peer mentor and a program like this”.

“I was pregnant at 16 and had my daughter at 17, and then had my son 22 months later at 19,” said Ms Hynes-Stevens, who went on to have two more children at ages 23 and 25.

“Even though everyone’s situation is different, having someone who can walk alongside you, who has been through similar times and feelings, can make a huge difference.”

Preventive Health SA data shows the rate of teenage pregnancy in the general population is about 14 in every 1000 girls aged 15 to 19.

SA Health estimates the rate among young people in state care is 15 per 1000.

About 15 in every 1000 girls in state care fall pregnant. Picture: istock

There are more than 4800 children in care in SA.

A spokeswoman said any who become pregnant “are fully supported by the Department for Child Protection (DCP), carers and other service providers during their pregnancy and after giving birth”.

In 2022, two pregnancies were the result of sexual offences against children in state care.

The cases prompted a review which found DCP reporting procedures at the time were “a mess” and did not specifically address pregnancies.

Since then details on the number of cases have been released publicly ad hoc, and only following requests.

Originally published as 23 girls fall pregnant while in state care in South Australia in 2024-25