FIGHTING TO PROTECT KIDS IN DANGER
Grief-stricken grandparents lead fight to protect children
THE pain of losing their grandchild has spurred John and Sue Sandeman to fight for children in danger.
Their grandson, Mason Parker, was just 17 months old when his mother’s then-partner, Troy William Reed, brutally murdered him.
Nine years after his death, the Sandemans still want to do everything in their power to stop more children from suffering the same fate as their grandson.
Just days before his death, his daycare took photos of bruises all over his body but failed to report its concerns to authorities.
When he died in Townsville on April 16, 2011 Mason had a 17cm skull fracture, more than 50 bruises on his abdomen and back, internal injuries and a ruptured bowel.
Mason’s death started an almost decade-long battle to protect children at risk of abuse.
For years, the Sandemans advocated for Mason’s Law – a law that made it mandatory for childcare workers to report suspected abuse.
This followed a Queensland Law Reform Commission review into mandatory reporting laws spurred by Mason’s death.
In 2015, the Sandemans had a small win when the State Government voted to support Mason’s Law but now, Mr Sandeman says more needs to be done.
Deeply disturbed by the number of child abuse reports the Townsville Child Protection Unit receives each day and the more than 1400 substantiated cases of child abuse dealt with by the Department of Child Safety in a 12-month period, Mr Sandeman said someone needed to be held accountable.
“If a captain of a ship loses containers off his ship, he can be charged with neglect,” Mr Sandeman said.
“Why, when a child is known to Child Services isn’t the person involved in the case (prosecuted) if a child gets injured?
“The Government puts the procedures in place for the workers to follow … it falls back on the Government in charge, why aren’t they charged with neglect?”
This follows the Liberal National Party’s plan for a complete overhaul of the Department of Child Safety to create a child protection force in response to the report into the death of another toddler, Mason Jet Lee.
Mr Sandeman said in too many circumstances, children were being left in dangerous situations.
He said legislators should consult with the families of abused children to help inform child protection measures. “The most important thing in everything is that the child is in a safe environment,” Mr Sandeman said. “We have to get out and talk to people … talk to them, not the experts, the experts don’t know what to do.” Mr Sandeman said there were too many children in this situation, and he and his wife would do everything they could to help them.
“Too many kids are getting murdered and abused,” he said.
“I wouldn’t wish it (this situation) on my worst enemy.
“My wife is on so much medication to keep her going, we’ve not only lost a grandson, but we’ve lost a daughter. It’s been torture.”
The State Government was contacted for comment.