In a shocking revelation, a new report has exposed profound failures within Victoria’s child protection system, painting a grim picture of vulnerable children left to suffer in a broken system. The annual report from the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) has laid bare the devastating consequences of these systemic shortcomings, sparking outrage and calls for immediate reform.
The Heartbreaking Case of WD
At the center of this damning exposé is the tragic story of a 12-year-old girl, given the pseudonym WD to protect her identity. WD’s case, according to Victoria’s principal commissioner for children and young people, Liana Buchanan, represents “some of the most profound service system failures I have seen.” Despite being under state care, WD endured years of instability, trauma, and exploitation that ultimately led to her being charged with murder at the tender age of 12.
WD’s heartbreaking journey through the system reveals a child with a history of significant trauma, intellectual disability, and vulnerability to sexual exploitation. Instead of receiving the care and protection she so desperately needed, WD was subjected to a revolving door of temporary placements, with over 10 different residences and dozens of workers in just three years. Shockingly, some of these workers were even accused of violence towards the child they were meant to protect.
This is a child with a trauma background and complex needs, and instead of safety and stability she’s had 10 different residences, dozens of different workers, including some against whom she’s disclosed that they’ve been violent towards her.
– Liana Buchanan, Victoria’s principal commissioner for children and young people
A System Failing its Most Vulnerable
WD’s case is just one example of the systemic failures plaguing Victoria’s child protection services. The CCYP report identified numerous shortcomings, including:
- Ineffective responses to children going missing from out-of-home care
- Insufficient access to forensic examinations for sexually exploited children
- Overreliance on temporary “contingency placements” rather than stable, long-term care
- Inadequate oversight and support for children with complex needs
These failures have had devastating consequences for the children the system is meant to protect. In 2023-24 alone, the CCYP received notifications regarding the deaths of 43 children known to child protection services. One such heartbreaking case involved a non-verbal girl, given the pseudonym Layla, who died of malnutrition after child protection closed two reports raising concerns about her health and conducted “inadequate” risk assessments.
The Urgent Need for Reform
As the number of reported child abuse allegations continues to rise, with a staggering 136% increase since 2017-18, it is clear that Victoria’s child protection system is in crisis. The CCYP’s report has made 19 recommendations to address the shortcomings in WD’s case alone, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform.
Lizzie Blandthorn, Victoria’s minister for children, has acknowledged that more must be done to “better connect services across government for children in care.” However, acknowledgment alone is not enough. The government must take swift and decisive action to overhaul a system that is failing society’s most vulnerable children.
This report should serve as a wake-up call for anyone who cares about the welfare of children in our society. We cannot continue to let vulnerable kids fall through the cracks of a broken system. It’s time for real change, and it starts with holding those in power accountable.
– Child welfare advocate
The tragic cases of WD and Layla are a stark reminder of the human cost of failing to protect our most vulnerable citizens. Behind every statistic and every report are real children who have suffered unimaginable trauma and harm. It is our collective responsibility to demand better for these children and to hold our government and institutions accountable for their failures.
As the spotlight shines on Victoria’s child protection crisis, we must ask ourselves: how many more children must suffer before we see real change? The time for action is now. We cannot let the cries of our most vulnerable go unheard any longer.
