Several judges have voiced concerns about the lack of special care beds for vulnerable children in the State, as reported by the Child Law Project. The project gathers data from courts handling child protection orders, revealing a shortage of appropriate care placements in foster care, residential care, and special care. One judge likened the situation to a looming disaster with no action being taken.
Of particular worry are cases where children are being sexually or criminally exploited without sufficient support in their care placements. Shockingly, a girl with the cognitive ability of a ten-year-old was allegedly raped while in foster care, raising concerns about sexual exploitation. There were instances of the girl wandering around a metropolitan city late at night unsupervised and potentially being trafficked.
The project highlights the urgent need for intervention from the Government to address the systemic failures causing delays in providing suitable care for at-risk children. The plea for action stresses the importance of building trust in the care system to prevent further harm to vulnerable children.