Overrepresentation is not accidental
Systemic racism in Australian child protection and out-of-home care systems
Keywords:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Indigenous, Child protection, Out-of-home Care, overrepresentation, Systemic racismAbstract
The overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter, Indigenous) children in Australian child protection and out-of-home care systems is not a new phenomenon. While there are growing concerns over a second Stolen Generations, this perspective article highlights the continuity of overrepresentation, and systemic racism, in Australian child protection and out-of-home care systems over time. In highlighting the continuities between past and present child welfare practices, this article demonstrates that systemic racism is an ongoing feature of Australian child protection and out-of-home care systems which drives overrepresentation. Indigenous ownership of solutions, and radical transformation, are required to disrupt this status quo.
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