Child protection system

Painted canvas with STOLEN written in the middle surrounded by hand prints and words like Freedom, Childhood, Homes, Culture, Song, Language, Lore, Families
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Counsel Assisting Fiona McLeod AO SC, Aunty Hazel Hudson, Njernda, Felicia Dean, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative, Shellee Strickland, Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative
Kimberley Do, Yappera, Lisa Thorpe, Bubup Wilam, and Stacey Brown, Yappera
Kimberley Do, Yappera, Lisa Thorpe, Bubup Wilam, and Stacey Brown, Yappera
Aunty Rieo Ellis, Grandmothers Against Removal wearing a "our kids belong with family" t-shirt
Aunty Rieo Ellis, Grandmothers Against Removal
The Wright Family. Aunty Donna, Aunty Joanne Farrant and Aunty Tina photo from the shoulders up
The Wright Family. Aunty Donna, Aunty Joanne Farrant and Aunty Tina

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.

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
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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
Proud Ngemba and Ngiyampaa woman Tara Fry and Aunty Sheza Lyle, a proud Darumbal, Murri, Yorta Yorta and Irish woman and grandmother
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.”

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.

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Other information

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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.
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Child protection system videos

Watch videos showing some of the things Yoorrook was told about the child protection system.
Old style painting of Aboriginal people living besides a creek

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.