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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Sarah Collard

Birth alerts are meant to help children at risk of abuse. They are routinely used against Aboriginal mothers

An illustration of a women slunk over a cot.
The overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child protection system begins before birth, with welfare alerts sent by doctors. Illustration: Janelle Burger/The Guardian

At the end of 2024, Rachel* was days away from giving birth. Her feet were dangerously swollen and she was sleeping rough outside an Aboriginal support service in the city.

Her reluctance to seek antenatal care meant the usual routine of scurrying between midwives and doctors appointments for ultrasounds, blood tests and screenings was absent.

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