Department of Human Services cuts reporting as attacks on children and disabled in state care surge

A SURGE in assaults and sex attacks on children and disabled people in state care to record levels has seen the Department of Human Services respond by slashing its reporting. 

Critics say the move ignores calls for reform and transparency to protect our most vulnerable and will hide any future increases.

There were a record 512 assaults, sex attacks and rapes of kids in care last year - a 130 per cent jump in three years - data obtained by the Herald Sun after a six-month Freedom of Information battle for annual figures reveals. Attacks on disabled DHS clients was up 180 per cent to 236.

People in care are most likely to be attacked by state-appointed carers or case workers, with more than one attack a day.

Despite the toll, the DHS has axed more than half its reporting categories.

Public Advocate Colleen Pearce said it was important that, as the Government sought to understand the type and extent of abuse, violence and assault in services for people with a disability or mental illness, that incident reporting was as clear as possible.

"Only that way will the service system properly understand abuse and develop effective strategies to prevent it and respond to it," Ms Pearce said.

Actual assaults, rapes and sex attacks are now recorded in the same categories as threats.

DHS also no longer separately reports overdoses or drug use nor the type of drug involved.

And children in care caught with illegal weapons or explosives are recorded under the same heading as those found with alcohol and cigarettes.

DHS said reporting was simplified to encourage staff to report incidents.

"The previous categories were unclear and overly complex, reducing compliance and reporting," spokeswoman Gen Farrell said.

Opposition child safety spokeswoman Danielle Green said the Government's "blatant attempt to hide this damning truth" was alarming.

"Public sector job cuts to watchdogs will further erode scrutiny of the Government's performance on protecting the most vulnerable," Ms Green said.

"Under (Community Services Minister) Mary Wooldridge's watch, more children are being abused in state care, not less. This is deeply disturbing."

Ms Farrell said all allegations of client physical or sexual assault were Category One incidents and were investigated internally, by police and referred to the relevant commissioner for monitoring and review.

heraldsun.com.au 7 Nov 2012

The government is the largest supporter of child abuse in the country.

It is through the institutions like the Department of Human Services (DHS) and Department of Child Services (DoCS), that most of the abuse occurs to underprivileged (either financial or mental) children.

What follows then is an elaborate government cover up.

The perpetrators will always go free, as this is standard government policy.