HELP END A CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE

THE protection of children is everybody’s business.

Today’s three articles about the unfolding child protection crisis in Townsville should have readers sitting bolt upright and demanding action to protect the city’s most vulnerable.

Act for Kids who do brilliant work in the child trauma space are working with 800 children across Townsville.

The number of children who are living in truly shocking conditions, where drugs, physical and sexual abuse are rife could be much higher. The 800 that have come to the attention of organisations like Act for Kids is likely just the tip of the iceberg.

Experts suggest, much like domestic violence, child abuse, is often under reported and won’t come to the attention of authorities until it’s much too late.

The Townsville Bulletin yesterday called for long-term planning to be put in place to stop young offenders before they become entrenched in the justice system. The work of Act for Kids is a step in the right direction.

It would not come as a shock to know the children breaking into homes, stealing cars and thieving, probably don’t have the best home situation, instead choose to spend the nights wandering the streets, instead of being in a toxic environment.

If the home situation is fixed, if the children feel safe and loved, are they as likely to spend the night out on the street? Or will they be tucked up in bed, with a full belly, knowing when they wake up mum and dad won’t be drunk or high, or fighting?

It would be naive to think every young criminal is in this situation, but the evidence suggests that most are and as Act for Kids Executive Director Stephen Beckett said: “It (trauma) often leads them to risky behaviour and criminal activity, because they haven’t had that safe environment to learn how to self-regulate emotions using both sides of the brain.”

It’s our duty to speak up, to save a child from a life of trauma and end the cycle of abuse. If you see something, say something.