Police apology call over abuse inaction

AUSTRALIA
9 News

An organisation representing people abused as children in group homes and orphanages wants police commissioners across Australia to apologise for not acting when children revealed crimes.

Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) says there is growing evidence that children suffering abuse and mistreatment were disbelieved, humiliated, put into prison cells, assaulted by police and returned back to the perpetrators and abusers with no investigations undertaken.

CLAN’s chief executive Leonie Sheedy said children in orphanages, children’s homes and foster homes ran away to escape sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect.

“We know that police would be notified by the orphanage or children’s home and police in every state and territory kept records of these events,” Ms Sheedy said.

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