I went into journalism and filmmaking because of a love of storytelling, and a passion for social and environmental justice. I’m a great believer in the power of telling stories, but often the impact of this work is indirect.
So I’m excited that an investigation that I’ve been working on has led to policy change in Australia.
Last year I wrote this investigation showing that children who were taken into care in the state of Victoria were given criminal records just for being removed from their families. Thousands of kids were affected, up until 1992.
This was because the children’s court system didn’t used to differentiate between children who were there because they supposedly needed care and protection, and children who committed crimes. Many First Australian children were taken simply because of the colour of their skin.
As a direct result of my work, the Victorian government has committed to making amends. They have said they will correct people’s police records, and are considering a public apology.
For the people who were affected by this as innocent children, it’s recognition at last that they were wronged yet again by the authorities who were supposed to protect them. It’s the courage of Indigenous elders Uncle Larry Walsh, Aunty Vickie Roach, Aunty Elizabeth Clay and Uncle Talgium Edwards in sharing their stories that has made this change possible.
A follow-up investigation with NITV’s Madeline Hayman-Reber revealed that this appears to have also happened to children in the state of New South Wales, and likely across the country. There’s more to be revealed.
Sylvia Rowley 