Children in state care still at risk
Another generation risks being ruined by abuse in state care, unless better independent monitoring systems are introduced, advocates warn.
Wellington human rights lawyer Sonja Cooper said closer monitoring was needed to protect the 5700 children in state care against the profound damage caused by abuse.
Cooper has spent the past 20 years representing victims who were sexually, physically and psychologically abused in state care, mostly from the 1940s to 1990s. Her youngest historical abuse client is just 17, and a growing cohort are aged 20-30, indicating abuse is far from relegated to the distant past.
‘‘I worry about particular providers and placements now, because of what I know about the past. And because research shows it will take on average 22 years for a victim of sexual abuse to report that.’’
She advocated a monitoring system similar to mental health’s district inspectors, who must see patients at prescribed times during their treatment, and who can arrive at care units unannounced.
Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft, whose office has a statutory duty to monitor young people in state care, agreed closer independent monitoring was critical to keeping children safe.
‘‘We know on the basis of the past, and the concerning levels of historic abuse, that there hasn’t been adequate monitoring in the past and that rapidly needs to change,’’ Becroft said. ‘‘This isn’t a matter of choice for any government, or discretion.‘‘
While he was cautiously optimistic that the increase in checks and balances had reduced abuse, risks remained. His 2017 State of Care report found regular reports of bullying at youth justice and care and protection residences, runaways and a ‘‘snitches get stitches’’ reluctance to report serious violence.
‘‘We would be Pollyanna-ish and naive to think abuse had stopped, because sadly those who are often most attracted to working with children and young people in marginalised secure environments sometimes are those tempted most to be abusers.’’
Becroft advocated expanding his office’s inspections, rather than creating a new monitoring system. The State of Care report called for funding for more frequent and comprehensive inspections of youth justice and protection residences, which he received in the 2017 Budget.
However, only about 20 per cent of historical complaints related to secure residences. That still left Oranga Tamariki-funded care through community providers, group homes and foster carers. His office was at present looking at how to independently monitor the care provided to those young people, and what that would cost.
Associate Minister for Children Alfred Ngaro would not commit to funding expanded independent monitoring for all areas of state care. The Government was committed to overhauling the care and protection system – including reviewing the breadth and focus of independent oversight – but that was a four to five-year process, he said.
This year’s $11.79m budget boost would help develop a more child-centred complaints system.