It is the choice of politicians and other leaders in the community that bureaucrats do nothing. There is always the pretence that there should be more studies and the nett result is more glossy brochures, filled with PC language.

Just think how easy it could be for a well-meaning politician to visit a public institution and talk with inmates and staff to get the low-down for himself. Few ever do that, but why not? What prevents politicians from talking at grass roots level and dragging their senior bureaucrats along for some education?

The answer is that it is easier not to know. When a Minister visits a region he is about self-promotion and back-slapping. 'Problems' could result in embarrassment. Anyhow, it is more enjoyable to swan around an overseas country 'observing' what they do. That way there is no chance of upturning an inconvenient rock locally.

The media is no help. Instead of applauding a Minister who is keen to work on problems, admit fault and amend policy, the sensationalist media sets out to disgrace him, blaming, embarrassing and alleging 'back-flips' in policy. A 'shock, horror' headline is valued higher than balanced, factual piece with a probable good ending. Editors have strange interpretations of what is in the public interest.

Corruption relies on entrenched interests, secrecy, lack of transparency and implacable resistance to independent review. Government Ministers, senior bureaucrats and editors already know that. They are fully aware that regular mobility of staff holding positions of trust; insistence on establishment of audit committees with external nominees; and allowing for external scrutiny of facilities and operations are cheap, effective ways of reducing corruption.

We all have to ask our local members what prevents the implementation of these controls. Importantly, we have to remove slack local members when we next vote.

I to am a victim of institution care and i remember church members,politicians etc talking to us when we were kids.The only problem was that the staff from those homes were present when the interviews took place.We were too scared to tell it like it was as we would have been punished later.If the general populace are going to learn the truth about these homes the interviews with inmates have to be one on one.

Hi again, Bernie,
Another excellent article, but while you state 500,000 institutionalised children suffered from institutionalised abuse, as several other comments indicate, the figure widens when we look at the institutional life of family, that bastion of so-called protection for the children it produces. The number is almost immeasurable and most of these unfortunately do not have even the slow, agonising process of a class action to appeal to for some semblance of justice. It pleases me immensely that there is this process for the children who were institutionalised, but causes me a slow burn that very little is available to others. The angst that even attempting such an action creates causes as much mental havoc now as the initial vicious and sadistic actions caused then in sabotaging our potential. But keep up the fight - it will only be through people like you that any awareness will be awakened in the general population. Incidentally, being an historian, in reading the stories of many of our earlier 'convicts' I have noted the many sadistic, vicious acts perpetrated on many of them, also. It seems that even 220 years after landing here, very little has changed in how we treat the vulnerable, dependant. Much of what you describe, Bernie, in your articles, somehow sounds so familiar.... Sadly, I realise humankind hasn't changed that much, cobber, has it?

Politicians are not worth the money that we spend on them. My family tried to get assistance from Policitians in relation to allegations of systematic, victimisation, bias, vilification bullying and neglect aimed at 3 of my children spanning over 7 years by the institution called the Department of Education and that included allegations of a conspiracy to cover up and here is what some of them said.

1. Although in opposition at state level I am limited in what I can do as the Minister has the responsbility in matters such as this. So she did nothing.

3. We have been advised (by those we allege are responsible) that the matter has been dealt with and closed. Although we appreciate your concerns we do not have the power or resources to investigate individual complaints. So he did nothing.

4. Nobody will believe you because everybody knows that mothers are biased. Dont bother going to a solicitor as they will just take your money. I used to be a criminal lawyer and it doesn't matter what evidence you have - it wont be enough. So he did nothing.

This is despite the fact that we informed them that the failure of anybody to act on this matter ensured that children remained targeted and not protected and that it was impacting on their mental health and physical wellbeing.

Sure this wasn't sexual abuse or direct physical abuse, it was psychological abuse, bullying, humiliation and neglect but at the end of the day it appears that it doesn't make a difference. The same process is used.

Our children are not protected.

Education - Keeping them Honest
http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/
Our children deserve better