More must be done to protect kids

IT’S frightening to read about the child abuse crisis unfolding in our region.

Today the Townsville Bulletin reveals more than 1400 cases of harm against children were reported in the Northern Region to the Department of Child Safety (DOCS) from September 2018 to 2019.

That’s almost four cases of child abuse a day in an area that includes Townsville and Cairns.

Talking to police in the Townsville Child Protection and Investigation Unit (CPIU) the number is even worse.

They are averaging nine notifications of potential child abuse or harm each day.

The offences included violence, sexual assault, neglect, domestic violence and cybercrime.

The reasons why Townsville is going through such a tragic time could be related to recent history.

Act For Kids executive director Stephen Beckett says the economic downturn, the 2019 floods and the coronavirus pandemic have put Townsville families under pressure.

But by far and away the largest problem for families is the ice scourge.

“Where ice is involved there is increased levels of aggression, greater financial strain and a range of complex mental health issues,” Mr Beckett said.

Whatever the reason the numbers aren’t good enough and both sides of politics have a lot of work to do reduce the number of kids under threat.

The damning coroner’s report into the death of toddler Mason Jett Lee found the system failed him in almost every way.

Our community has already seen the Department of Child Services fail children and with such a huge workload it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes.

More resources are needed to protect the region’s children.