Yes Suseonline, it is Australia wide and a good deal of the problem lies with the hard line seriously flawed ideology being channelled through our higher Institutes of learning ...

I acknowledge what you say. Children accustomed to bad, sometimes appalling treatment, frequently cling to their tormenter/s. If it's the only life they've known, it's their "normal". And so true your comment about animal welfare agencies.

I believe if a child has been so badly abused in infancy as to have suffered broken/dislocated bones, brain injury, severe bruising, lacerations, contusions etc or is severely neglected, malnourished etc there should be only ONE chance for the parent or parents responsible to make good. In some cases where this is extremely unlikely - for instance accompanying long term substance addiction, severe mental health issues with history of non-compliance with treatment, extreme immaturity or mental retardation and the child is deemed at extreme risk, it should be removed immediately!

If an infant is thus separated from parent/s and placed in a loving adoptive home, chances of survival foremost and of growing up with the things he/she needs to live well - like a safe, stable environment with all basic needs met, education and reasonable role models are extremely high.

There will be those who have the opposing view - every child deserves to be with their biological parent/s. However while the average half-witted drug addled no-hoper often has no problems procreating - and we are supposed to accept this as their no-questions-asked "right", potential adoptive parents must undergo more checks and probes than the average ASIO applicant. The child can't be guaranteed a happy secure life but it surely has a better than average chance.

The important factor in such cases is to remove the child early before it is permanently damaged (if possible) and at an age when it will likely bond well with an adoptive family. Under 1 - best scenario. Under 3 next best.

Personally I welcome the day when Bureaucracies like Child Safety are held far more accountable for their failures. Meantime I wish Pru Goward success.