Human Rights Watch Report Exposes Systemic Failures in Aboriginal Child Protection in Western Australia

The report highlights a 400% increase in Aboriginal child removals over two decades, driven by poverty, domestic violence, and inadequate government support.

• Aboriginal children in Western Australia are over 20 times more likely to be placed in out-of-home care than non-Indigenous children, according to the latest Human Rights Watch report.
• The number of Aboriginal children in care has surged from 570 in 2003 to 3,068 in 2023, reflecting a 400% increase over two decades.
• Many Aboriginal mothers avoid seeking help for domestic violence or medical treatment due to fears of losing custody of their children, exacerbating trauma and systemic inequities.
• Western Australia allocates less than 5% of its child protection budget to family support programs, far below the national average of 15%, limiting resources for struggling families.
• Advocacy groups are calling for systemic reforms, including the establishment of an independent commissioner for Aboriginal children and increased investment in preventive family support services.

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Australian Broadcasting Corporation The Guardian Human Rights Watch