Dr Lynne Wrennall
A cursory examination of Australia and similarly operated systems in the United States and United Kingdom’s, care and protection jurisdiction reveals the inherent lack of justice and the abuse of human rights (including the rights of the child as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).
There is denial of fair representation for parents and other close family members, the gross imbalance of power, and collaboration between government departments partially intended to justify action but that obscures negative evidence, such as the Crown Solicitor's Office, the police, public prosecutor, educational facilities, the health sector (to name only a few).
Emeritus Professor Stephen Hill, AM, FRSN, FTSE, FWIF, PhDFaculty of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
University of Wollongong
For many years the power of the state to remove children from families, and place them into the out of home care system has gone unchallenged. Despite allegations of improper conduct by state and allied actors such as case workers, police, those in the legal profession, doctors and other health professionals, the courts, and even oversight bodies such as ICAC and LECC, complaints have fallen on deaf ears.
Late in 2023, a meeting was held in Sydney to see what might be done to raise awareness about these issues, and how attention could be brought to bear on our lawmakers and regulators. The event was attended by people from around Australia and included parents, former wards of the state, professionals from almost every possible sector, along with highly credentialed academics.
It was decided at that meeting to form a not-for-profit organisation that represents primarily the rights of children, and by extension, also their family because all children have the right to continue a relationship with both parents. The organisation would base its policies on academic research and be evidence based.
The organisation is SHIELD THE CHILDREN.
