“The Lost Kids” report

The ABC News recently reported a story “The Lost Kids” exploring why each year hundreds of reports are made to police of children missing from out of home care in Victoria, primarily the residential care system.

The story shares the experiences of two ex-residential care children Ash and Allan. Ash reported living with over 50 other children in her time in residential care and estimates she absconded over 100 times in 3 years due to being assaulted and threatened by other children in care. Allan reports being assaulted, feeling unsafe and always wanting to escape the danger - resulting in him running away.

The Commissioner for Children in Victoria, Liana Buchanan, reports she would like to see an overhaul of the system. Ms Buchanan states she is not criticising individual child safety or residential care workers but rather the system that is letting these young people down. 

Go to “The Lost Kids”