In early 2007, reports began to arise in Northern Australia of Aboriginal child abuse, and within months ABC TV’s “Lateline” had filmed a story about the issue. However, no one knew the cause of the problem or how far it reached. Some even denied any problem whatsoever. Yet within the last year, government research and reports (the Territory Government appointed a panel to investigate) have shown that “there’s sexual abuse of children in almost every Aboriginal community in the Northern Territory, possibly in all of them.”
Furthermore, the claim is made in these reports that alcohol and pornography are the root of the problem. Definitive evidence of abuse was found in each one of the 45 communities visited by government officials, with children as young as 3 being abused. Shockingly, or perhaps not so shockingly, these children are growing up to become sexual criminals as well, and some are well into adulthood by now- disturbing proof that this problem may have gone on unnoticed for decades. The panel made 97 suggestions on what should be done now that the information is clear and definite proof for the public, the most important being to make this sexual abuse crimewave the number 1 emergency priority in Australia.
Also, the panel wants to increase the number of Indigenous children into the education system as well as improving sex education in schools and creating a new government position, Commissioner For Children. Prime Minister John Howard released on June 15th the “Children Are Sacred” plan, increasing alcohol restrictions in the Northern Territory, linking welfare payments to child school attendance, and acquiring a large number of leases on Aboriginal communities. Critics have said the plan is culturally insensitive and paternalistic, but on both sides Aboriginal leaders and government officials look forward to partnership and moving forward to end this problem as quickly and efficiently as possible while caring for and supporting the victims of these crimes.
A link to a youtube video about he child abuse controversy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6mn6Sif40
Information gathered from ABCnews.net and ipsnews.net