Victoria's Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) has revealed severe systemic failures in the case of a 12-year-old girl charged with murder while in state care. The girl, identified by the pseudonym WD, had her charges dropped in May 2024. The CCYP's annual report, tabled in parliament on Thursday, described the case as exposing 'some of the most profound service system failures' the commissioner had seen.
WD had a history of significant childhood trauma, an intellectual disability, and was sexually exploited while missing from out-of-home care. Over three years, she was placed in 10 different temporary homes, costing the state more than $3 million. The report noted that efforts by police, child protection, and care providers to prevent her absences were 'ineffective', and she received insufficient access to forensic examinations when attending hospital outside business hours.
Principal Commissioner Liana Buchanan said she personally provided a copy of the investigation to Premier Jacinta Allan to ensure the details were known to everyone who mattered. 'This is a child with a trauma background and complex needs, and instead of safety and stability she's had 10 different residences, dozens of different workers, including some against whom she's disclosed that they've been violent towards her,' Buchanan said.
The CCYP made 19 recommendations, including improving the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing's oversight of contingency placements and responses to child sexual exploitation. Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn acknowledged more could be done to better connect services across government for children in care.
The report also detailed the case of a non-verbal girl, referred to as Layla, who died of malnutrition after child protection closed two of four reports raising concerns about her health. The CCYP found that risk assessments were 'inadequate' and key information, including concerns about significant weight loss and repeated hospitalisations, was not adequately considered.
In 2023-24, the CCYP received 1,892 notifications of child abuse, a 30% increase on the previous year and a 136% increase since the first year of the reportable conduct scheme. The commission also completed 45 child death inquiries for children known to child protection in the 12 months before their death.
