Over the past few weeks our sector has been subject to extensive media coverage. The following stories may be of interest to our members:
The 7.30 Report highlighted the need for people to consider becoming foster carers.
ABC 7.30 Report – Foster carers needed as numbers dwindle (13/9/2012)
Child Safety Commissioner Bernie Geary has said that more needs to be done to improve ''communication and collaboration'' among the various stakeholders within the state's child protection network.
The Age – Children’s deaths spark calls for communication (12/9/2012)
The findings of a Youth Parole Board report have been reported, highlighting that around half the offenders in the youth justice system have had contact with child protection services.
The Age – Youth histories ‘shocking’ (13/9/2012)
The Centre’s life member Dr Ray Cleary has spoken on ABC radio about the need for faith groups to be wary of the conditions coming with growing government funding.
ABC National – Church welfare groups and the hazards of state money (29/8/2012)
A coroner has urged authorities to develop a wide-ranging public education campaign aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, after a teenage girl killed her stepfather following years of abuse.
The coroner recommended that the Department of Education and Childhood Development evaluate mandatory reporting training provided to teachers, ensure that professional development addresses identified barriers to reporting of child abuse, and implement the PVVC Inquiry recommendation to develop an education campaign for parents and care-givers on the prevention of child sexual abuse.
The Age – Coroner weighs teens trauma in sex-abuse finding (7/9/2012)
The Age reported that record numbers have been charged with family violence offenses over the past year.
The Age – Charges for family violence soar (9/9/2012)
A Salvation Army survey has indicated that four million Australian’s know families affected by alcohol abuse.
The Human Rights Commission has recommended the Commonwealth pay $250000 compensation to a young woman held in Villawood detention centre for nine months when she was nine years old.
The Age – Compo push for child detainee (13/9/2012)
A NSW priest has been charged with committing and covering up child sex offenses near Newcastle since the 1970s and 80s.
Herald Sun – NSW priest charged with child sex offences dating back to the 70s and 80s (30/8/2012)
The Age – Priest charged with abuse cover-up (31/8/2012)
Anglican priests have been defrocked and several clergy are under investigation over allegations of "serious sexual misconduct" in the Newcastle diocese
The Age – Three priests defrocked on sex claims (10/9/2012)
The Australian – Fears Anglican abuse linked to Catholics (11/9/2012)
Cassandra Wilkinson wrote an opinion piece suggesting that nannyism does not prevent child abuse, and is actually directing vital resources away from areas of greatest need.
The Australian – Nannyism doesn’t help real victims of child abuse (27/8/2012)
Melbourne’s Yeshiva College has apologised for “historical wrongs”.
ABC – Jewish college apologises for sex abuse scandal (24/8/2012)
The Fairfax regional newspapers have published a series of stories to coincide with National Child Protection Week, including:
Anglicare’s plea for more Hume residents to become foster carers.
Macedon Ranges Weekly – Foster care in short supply (3/9/2012)
The story of Daniel, a 10 year old who needs a permanent home.
Brimbank Weekly – Help Daniel to shine (3/9/2012)
Sue Bailey’s experiences of being a foster carer to more than 50 children.
Hume Weekly – Foster carer Sue Bailey gave it a go (3/9/2012)
Findings that increasing family violence cases are stretching service providers within the Hume region, meaning children are missing out support.
Macedon Ranges Weekly – Children the forgotten victims (11/9/2012)
Police Commissioner Ken Lay vowing to continue fighting high family violence levels in Mildura.
