Injustice in the child protection system
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is looking into the child protection system as part of the truth telling process in Victoria.
Yoorrook has been told that for First Peoples in Victoria there is an unbroken connection between their experiences with colonial child removal practices and their experiences with the current Victorian Child Protection system. These traumas, historical and contemporary, continue to impact First Peoples families and communities.
“Decades on from the Stolen Generations, the Victorian Government is removing First Peoples children at the highest rate in Australia. Despite commitments to do the opposite, the rate at which the Victorian Government is imprisoning Aboriginal people has increased significantly over the past decade.“
Chair of the Commission and proud Wergaia/Wamba Wamba Elder, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM
On this page you will find some of the responses Yoorrook has received as part of its inquiry.
What you've told us about Child protection system
Submission – Aunty Diane Kerr
Aunty Di Kerr is an Elder of the Wurundjeri people.
This submission describes Aunty Di’s story, including the importance of ceremony and her role in reviving coming of age and naming ceremonies. It also details Aunty Di’s experience as a foster carer, her work with kids in out of home care, and with Link Up.
Submission – Maria Van Zyl
Maria Van Zyl is from the Stolen Generation.
This submission outlines her experience growing up in out-of-home care, her attempts to reconnect with her father and obtain her files from welfare.
Submission – Wonyarna Christopher Lee Edwards
Wonyarna Christopher Lee Edwards is a Gunai Kurnai man.
This submission describes Wonyarna’s experience in custody in both adult and youth justice facilities, including the impact of three months spent in solitary confinement. Wonyarna writes about being removed from his mother aged nine and spending his childhood in out of home care. He also describes the importance of painting to connect to his culture and ancestors through art.
News, Stories and Videos
Discover the latest updates on Yoorrook's work, inspiring stories of strength and resistance from First Peoples, insightful opinion pieces from Commissioners, and engaging videos about truth-telling and history
News & Stories
16 May 2024
Victorian Government responds to Yoorrook recommendations
The Victorian Government has accepted 28 of the recommendations made in Yoorrook for Justice in full or in principle.
News & Stories
20 October 2023
The roadmap to transform Victoria’s child protection and justice systems
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has a mandate to investigate all systemic injustice against First Peoples dating back to the beginning of colonisation. In September Yoorrook released its second interim report.
Videos
10 October 2023
Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
Following a 12-month inquiry, the ‘Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems’ details extensive systemic injustice, racism, discriminatory laws and policy failures that have, and continue to, cause harm to First Peoples. The report and a full list of recommendations can be found here: www.yoorrookforjustice.org.au
Videos
10 October 2023
Recommendations: Yoorook Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems
Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems makes 46 recommendations for reform, including clarifying and strengthening the charter of human rights and responsibilities act. The report and a full list of recommendations can be found here: www.yoorrookforjustice.org.au
News & Stories
13 July 2023
What it was like making a submission
“I think it’s important to set the record straight about what really happened and continues to happen to us. I feel the rest of Australia would have more empathy for us if they knew the truth. Also, mob telling their story will help Yoorrook influence changes to policies which will create a better future for our children.”
News & Stories
9 June 2023
I was kept from my Indigenous family as a child. Then my own kids were taken from me
I never met my Dad. The first time I ever saw him was at the viewing room at his funeral. I didn’t know I had a full sister until the day before that. I met her and the rest of his side of the family the day of the funeral. I was 17 years old.
Child protection system reports, hearings and evidence
View the reports, hearings and evidence Yoorrook collected during the investigation into the child protection system.
Yoorrook for Justice
The report details extensive systemic injustice, racism, discriminatory laws and policy failures that have, and continue to, cause harm to First Peoples. It highlights that present injustice has deep roots in the colonial foundations of the state.
The report makes landmark recommendations about self-determination for First Peoples in Victoria. First Peoples must have decision-making power, authority, control and resources in the child protection and criminal justice systems as these relate to them. The Victorian Government must uphold its commitment to self-determination through negotiation under the treaty process.
Other information
Child protection system submissions
Make a submission to help Yoorrook recommend changes to right the wrongs of the past and make a better shared future for everyone.
Child protection system videos
Watch videos showing some of the things Yoorrook was told about the child protection system.
The past is the present
The present-day failures of Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems for First Peoples are deeply rooted in the colonial foundations of the State of Victoria.