Child protection
35 children deemed not at significant risk by protective services before their deaths
Of the almost three dozen children who died between 2019 and 2025, all had been flagged with child protection services several times, a new landmark report has found.
- Nicole Precel and Kieran Rooney
Latest
‘I was not really keen on it’: eSafety commissioner tells us what she really thinks of the social media ban
Julie Inman Grant talks about death threats, the dark corners of the internet and making an enemy of the richest man in the world, Elon Musk.
- Jacqueline Maley
- Exclusive
- Child safety
The cost of keeping kids safe has doubled. Experts say there’s a fix
New research shows Australia’s child protection system may become financially untenable, as children face poor outcomes and costs soar.
- Nicole Precel
Sydney high school teacher charged with grooming student
The male was charged after police allegedly found child abuse material in his possession, including photos of a former pupil.
- Amber Schultz and Jack Gramenz
Meghan: Social media is pushing girls into anorexia
The Duchess of Sussex continued her campaign against online harms at the opening of a memorial to children in Geneva.
- India McTaggart
- Exclusive
- Courts
Marcus told caseworkers about his foster father’s abuse. A court must decide if their failure to act amounts to damages
Marcus alleged he was raped and neglected by the foster family the government chose to care for him. His compensation claim may be a test case for the courts.
- Amber Schultz
- Exclusive
- Domestic violence
Desperate and in tears, Tabitha had to spend months to find help for a toddler who witnessed murder
Tabitha Acret’s daughter was murdered in front of her grandson. She’s calling for better services for children who experience domestic and family violence.
- Amber Schultz
- Exclusive
- Childcare
Sydney childcare centres caught employing banned workers in national safety blitz
New rules requiring early learning services to undertake strict screening checks of workers are now in force.
- Emily Kowal
- Opinion
- Literature
If kids read The Twits and laugh, hairy-faced men will just have to cope
An academic fears Roald Dahl’s novel exposes children to violence, coercive power and stereotyping of men with beards. OK, but what if kids actually opened a book and couldn’t put it down?
- Michelle Cazzulino
‘Significant’ failings: Damning findings after foster children placed with murderer
A litany of errors allowed two children to live with notorious killer Regina Arthurell. Staff at the government department responsible are facing misconduct proceedings.
- Amber Schultz