Vic: Our vulnerable children exposed to low-lifes

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2007
Vic: Our vulnerable children exposed to low-lifes

Victoria's most vulnerable children are reportedly being exposed to poor role models.

They're seeing a plethora of bad habits .. including drugs .. alcohol .. crime and
sexually active youths.

The Sunday Age reports the revelation comes as hundreds of children .. as young as
12 .. live in units which are described by their staff as frighteningly inadequate homes.

Department of Human Services staff and leading welfare agencies say the children are
left to fend for themselves in in often violent environments.





Victorian Child Safety Commissioner BERNIE GEARY has defended the system.

He says there's nothing simple about working with young people who need to be in residential
care.

AAP RTV jat/ibw

KEYWORD: CRISIS (MELBOURNE)

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