Arabic version: الآباء يعبرون عن إحباطهم بسبب إصابات رعاية الأطفال في الإقليم الشمالي

The parents of two children in Northern Territory foster care say their concerns their daughter was being abused by her foster family went ignored by the department. According to ABC News, the couple claims their concerns about potential abuse were ignored by the Department of Children and Families.

The parents, Daniel and Lucy, reported that their three-year-old daughter, Chloe, showed up for visits with visible injuries, including bruises and bite marks. They expressed alarm at the changes in her behavior, noting that she began exhibiting tantrums and distressing outbursts during visits. Until Chloe was two years old, her parents were seeing their daughter weekly and did not have concerns about her physical safety until these alarming signs began to appear between June and November 2024.

Despite raising their concerns with the department, they felt dismissed and received vague explanations regarding Chloe’s injuries. The couple has been fighting for custody of their children, who were placed in care due to Daniel’s past involvement with the criminal underworld, which he has since moved away from.

The Northern Territory government recently proposed changes to child protection laws that would limit short-term protection orders to two years. Experts have criticized this move, suggesting it could jeopardize children’s safety and wellbeing, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Child protection advocates argue that such restrictions could lead to long-term placements in care, making reunification with families increasingly difficult.

Lucy and Daniel have called for increased support for families navigating the child protection system, expressing that the current process has been heartbreaking. They hope the department will reconsider its approach to ensure the safety and well-being of children in foster care.