I have been holding back a little bit of information because I didn't feel it was necessary to disclose at the time, recapping the whole situation though, I think it may play
some role. I swear I'm not leaving anything out now, well as far as I know.
![:\](https://bluelight.org/xf/BL_Images/Orig_Emoji/wrygrin.gif "wry grin :\")
About 4-5 months ago she told me that her underwear had been going missing, anyway, cut a long story short, she ended up finding several pairs of her underwear in her older brothers drawer and in his pillow case. (I know, wtf!) She was too scared to say anything to her brother (who's about 23-24 btw) so she told her mum that he was doing it but she refused to do anything about it and so she then left home for about a month.
She's now back at home, but do you think that could have anything to do with her usage? As far as I'm aware, stealing your sisters undies isn't illegal, however I do think it would be quite an unsettling feeling knowing your own brother was doing such a thing.
now theres a few things in this post that concern me in addition to the original one, i have met a few people who have gone through sexual assualt who have ome out to the family and not been believed at all and so the assult continued. Im not suggesting that this is the case here but the premise of the family usually being a place of safety for most people is not working here.
on top of that you have a young male (brother) acting sexually inappropriate with his sisters underwear. not only just that but To quote you "
hell, she's not even 18 yet, and has so much potential to do good with her life rather than become addicted to meth. ... (her older brother and his mates are the ones who got her into it the first place and I highly doubt her mum would care if she found out anyway)."
SO she is minor who is being fed drugs by older sexually inappropriate males + is disempowered by the family not believing or even caring about her. If i heard this in a counselling session i would feel that it was my ethical duty to call the police and let her know that i am doing it. Also depending on your role/profession in community service organisations you might be a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect.
even though she is over the age of 16 you are still mandated to call the local child protection services. I would call them anyway anonomusly and talk about what you have mentioned here. Based on that information i am pretty sure that they would actually action the report as an emergency action.
just reading this thread in those two posted gives me cause for great alarm.
doing something about this yourself is not possible, this is a complex situation which takes tact and resources to support a person in this predicament. I strongly suggest what i told you above do anon call to your state child protection service and ask them what they think.
The numbers are listed below
Australian Capital Territory
Office for Children, Youth and Family Support
Ph: 133 427
http://www.dhcs.act.gov.au/ocyfs/
The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support works in partnership with the community to provide care and protection services to children and young people, and family and community support to meet the needs of the people of Canberra. In addition, the Office is responsible for youth justice services and the monitoring and licensing of children's services.
The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support contracts a range of services from the non-government sector to meet the needs of young people. These services include
* Youth Centres
* Youth Support Services
* Youth development programs and
* Youth Plan and Sector development
Care and Protection services is responsible for facilitating coordination across government for the care and protection of children and young people. Care and Protection services include three Regional Offices and an After Hours service, who provide a continuum of service delivery to children and young people considered 'at risk' of serious harm.
If you are concerned about a child, refer to Keeping Children and Young People Safe (PDF 697 KB)
New South Wales
Department of Community Services
DoCS Central Office
Locked Bag 28,
Ashfield NSW 1800
Ph: (02) 9716 2222
Fax: (02) 9798 5486
DX21212 Ashfield
http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/
The Department of Community Services works to protect children from abuse and neglect. The Department views the protection and welfare of children as one of their most important tasks.
Many cases of suspected neglect and abuse against children are reported to the Department every year. It is their job to investigate these reports and, if needed, work with families to ensure children are protected. They work with families and try to find solutions to problems by talking directly to parents and children. Sometimes brothers and sisters, grandparents or other family members of a child are involved.
To report instances of child abuse
* The Office of Children, Families and Parenting: 132 111 (24 hours)
The Crimes Amendment (Child Protection - Physical Mistreatment) Act 2001 comes into effect on 5 December 2002. The amendment sets limits on the force used by parents to physically punish their children and clarifies the legal defence of 'lawful correction'. It aims to reduce the harm caused to children through excessive physical punishment. Under the amendment, it will be considered unreasonable to:
* Use force on a child above the shoulders
* Use force that causes harm that lasts for more than a short time below the shoulders.
Community education activities under the title 'Remember - there's a limit' have been organised to inform parents, carers and workers about the amendment.
* A poster to alert parents to the new law;
* A brochure to explain the law to parents and direct them to sources on child rearing that will be available in 10 versions: English, a version for Pacific Islander people, a version for Indigenous people, Arabic, Turkish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Croatian and Serbian.
More information can be found on the NSW Parenting Centre's web site at
http://www.parenting.nsw.gov.au/limits/.
Northern Territory
Department of Health and Families
PO Box 40596
Casuarina NT 0811
More information on child protection services is available at
http://www.health.nt.gov.au/Children_Youth_and_Families/Child_Protection/index.aspx
To report instances of child abuse (24 hours): 1800 700 250
Queensland
Department of Communities
Department of Child Safety
PO Box 806
Brisbane QLD 4002 or
CDE M4
Ph: (07) 3224 8045
Freecall: 1800 811 810
Fax: (07) 3224 3570
Email:
[email protected]
http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/
To report instances of child abuse:
Business hours: 1800 811 810
After hours: 1800 177 135
The Department provides services to children and families where child abuse or neglect has been alleged or identified. Allegations of child abuse and neglect are investigated and responded to with advice, information and assistance provided to families and community members. Emphasis is placed on maintaining children with their families and by educating and supporting parents to care for their children.
The Child Protection Act 1999 provides for the protection of children. The Act responds to the increased community expectation: that children must be protected from abuse and neglect; that children who are removed from home receive safe alternative care; and that children who suffer abuse and neglect receive quality services which promote their emotional, physical, social and educational development.
Information about the Act is available at:
http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/legislation/child-protection/child-protection-act-1999.html
South Australia
Families SA
Department for Families & Communities
GPO Box 292
Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: (08) 8226 8800
Fax: (08) 8413 9003
Email:
[email protected]
http://www.familiesandcommunities.sa.gov.au/
To report instances of child abuse:
* 24 hours: 131 478
Children, Youth and Family Services provides support and assistance to the community, especially those experiencing disadvantage or who are in need of care and protection. Services assist young people who offend or are at risk of harm and families and children at risk.
Legislation covering child protection issues include:
* Family and Community Services Act 1972
* Children's Protection Act 1993
* Young Offenders Act 1993
* Adoption Act 1988
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service
South Australian Division of Mental Health
Suite 5, Ground Floor, Elizabeth House
Elizabeth City Centre
Adelaide SA 5112
Ph: (08) 8252 0133
Fax: (08) 8287 0308
Email:
[email protected]
http://www.wch.sa.gov.au
The Tier 3 Diversionary Program is a new initiative by the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service - Northern Metropolitan Region. The program runs in partnership with the Department of Family & Youth Services and seeks to address the needs of children and families who have been notified to the department but where there are no confirmed issues of abuse, although a high degree of need within the family. Essentially the program seeks to prevent the potential for abuse or neglect occurring within these families through the provision of practical assistance and therapeutic input.
Department of Education, Training and Employment
http://www.dete.sa.gov.au/decs_home.asp
Information is included on DETE child protection policy, mandatory notification, Child Protection Act and links to other sites.
Tasmania
Department of Health and Human Services
Child Protection
http://www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/health__..._and_families/related_topics/child_protection
The Department of Health and Human Services brings together a wide range of services for the people of Tasmania - offering a range of support services, including child protection.
Commissioner for Children
1st Floor, Stone Building
ABC Centre, 1 Brooker Avenue
Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: (03) 6233 4520
Fax: (03) 6233 4515
http://www.childcomm.tas.gov.au/
The website of the Commissioner for Children is part of the Department of Health and Human Services.
To report instances of child abuse:
* Child and Family Services: 1800 001 219 (24 hours)
Victoria
Department of Human Services
Children, Youth and Families
Child Protection and Family Services
Email:
[email protected]
To report instances of child abuse
Child Protection Crisis Service: 131 278 (24 hours)
Child Safety Commissioner
The Office of the Child Safety Commissioner is an organisation that makes children a priority. The Commissioner provides advice to both the Minister for Community Services and the Minister for Children on issues impacting on the lives of children, in particular vulnerable children. This is achieved through listening to children, advocating on their behalf, being impartial, leading on child-safe practices, acting with integrity, and being held accountable.
Western Australia
Department for Child Protection
Central Office
PO Box 6334
East Perth WA 6892
Ph: (08) 9222 2555
TTY: (08) 9325 1232
Fax: (08) 9222 2776
http://www.community.wa.gov.au/DCP/
To report instances of child abuse
* Departmental Head Office: (08) 9222 2555
* 1800 199 008
* After hours: (08) 9223 1111
The Department's major focus is on meeting the needs of vulnerable children and families. It is responsible for protection and caring for children and of supporting people at risk of crisis.
Staff trained in child protection investigate reports and allegations of child maltreatment. These may include physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment as well as neglect. Follow up services depend on the nature and seriousness of maltreatment and the needs of the child and family.
