Child Protection data recently published by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) has confirmed 66 children in state care or known to child protection have tragically died since 1 January 2020.
Twenty children known to child protection lost their lives in the 12 months to September 2024.
The Child Protection and Family Services Quarterly reporting data of major incidents between 1 January 2020 and 30 September 2024 also revealed a staggering total of 5,400 reported incidents of abuse. Abuse incidents include allegations of physical, sexual, psychological and financial abuse.
Shocking numbers of children and young people removed from their families have been sexually abused whilst in residential care, preyed upon by paedophiles and criminal gangs, with the government failing to protect them.
Shadow Minister for Child Protection, Roma Britnell, said: "The highest responsibility of government is the protection of our most vulnerable children. Why are we still seeing so many deaths and incidents of abuse under state care?
"Under 10 years of Labor, the most vulnerable children in Victoria are suffering further trauma in a system that has utterly failed them and their families.
"The families of children who have died in state care or were known to child protection deserve to know the reasons why their child has died or been subjected to an incident of abuse whilst in care.
"The Liberals and Nationals call on the Minister to fix this crisis in child protection of failure to protect the most vulnerable in its care. If she cannot, she should take responsibility and resign."
