Victorian children and young people in out-of-home care are increasingly suffering from physical abuse and sexual exploitation, as the state government signals it could unilaterally raise the age of criminal responsibility.
Experts have raised safety concerns about the state's child protection and youth justice systems after a new government report highlighted fundamental systemic flaws.
The number of self-harm and suicide attempts reported in out-of-home care has increased by almost 70 per cent in the past three years, with 3293 incidents documented since 2019.
About 49 per cent of incidents involved youth aged 15 and 16 years of age, while 18 per cent involved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Girls and young women made up 70 per cent of reported incidents.
A lack of access to mental health services and long waiting lists were identified as primary reasons behind the steady increase.
The Commission for Children and Young People's annual report, one of 265 government documents tabled on Tuesday, shows a 65 per cent increase in incidents of children and young people going absent or missing from care (3558 incidents) since 2019.
There was also a 28 per cent rise in sexual exploitation (303 incidents), which Victoria's Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, Liana Buchanan, said was unacceptable.
"Until we see major reform of the model of residential care and real action to tackle sexual exploitation of children, we will continue to see children suffer serious sexual abuse and other harms when they leave placement," Ms Buchanan said.
Out-of-home care occurs when children and young people are unable to live with their parents and subsequently receive alternative accommodation.
This usually consists of foster care, relative or kinship care, family group homes, residential care and independent living, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Ms Buchanan said the report highlighted data showing the Reportable Conduct Scheme and Child Safe Standards continue to uncover abuse of children in organisations at "unprecedented levels".
Aboriginal children and young people were over-represented in the commission's inquiries into children who die within 12 months of their last involvement with child protection.
Victoria's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People Meena Singh said the data shows Aboriginal children and young people are disproportionately drawn into the child protection and youth justice systems.
The release of the report came after Premier Daniel Andrews gave the strongest indication yet that Victoria could raise the age of criminal responsibility this parliamentary term.
Australian states and territories agreed to develop a plan to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 at a meeting of attorneys-general last year.
A draft report released this month recommended raising the age from 10 to 14 without exception.
Speaking on the first day of the 60th parliament, Mr Andrews remained upbeat on the prospect of national reform despite the Northern Territory and ACT governments already committing to raise the age to 12 and 14 respectively.
"If however we cannot deliver, that is as a nation, a nationally consistent set of laws, then the government reserves its right to make further announcements," he said.
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