07 September 2008

DHS 'knew crash girl was at risk'

Victorian authorities reportedly knew a four-year-old girl was at risk from a drug-addicted couple two years before a car accident that has left her fighting for life.

Melbourne's Herald Sun newspaper cites Department of Human Services documents that show the parents used drugs in front of their daughter and faced allegations of domestic abuse.

Under the heading, Likelihood of future harm, the DHS report says the child had been in a vehicle while her parents were substance-affected and driving.

"The 2006 DHS report concludes with the warning: 'The child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of physical injury and the child's parents have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type,' the newspaper said.

Shortly after 5am (AEST) on Wednesday, the child was critically injured after the car she was in crashed in St Albans, Melbourne.

She was not wearing a seat belt and was found under the front seat by paramedics who attended the accident. She is in a critical condition at the Royal Children's Hospital.

The DHS has launched an investigation into the girl's treatment.

6 Sep 2008

What is tragic about stories like this is that it is well known that the parents are incapable of raising a child, reports are written, BUT there is NO ACTION TAKEN to safeguard the child.

This is general policy, and RARELY any preventative action is taken. Generally people of this calibre are considered CANON FODDER and not any government priority list.

What chance does a child have ?


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