Kinship Carers Victoria

Victorian child protection cases to consider past Aboriginal mistreatment

From an article by Benita Kolovos, originally published in the online Guardian on 21.2.23

Victorian judges and child protection workers will be required to consider past mistreatment of Aboriginal families in their dealings with cases involving Indigenous children, under a bill introduced to parliament.

Under the law, organisations such as the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency will have the power to investigate child protection cases and connect families to support prior to any court order being made.

The hope is that this early intervention and culturally grounded support will lower the number of Aboriginal children in care in Victoria. The bill also includes an Australian-first statement of recognition acknowledging the past wrongs and mistreatment of Aboriginal people by government institutions.

Access the original article here: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/21/victorian-child-protection-cases-to-consider-past-aboriginal-mistreatment-under-reform-of-landmark-bill

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