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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Ben Smee

Strip searches and suicide attempts: the reality for children in Queensland watch houses

Illustration children in adult watch house
Queensland has passed new legislation to suspend its own Human Rights Act and allow the indefinite detention of children in adult police watch houses. Illustration: Ben Sanders/The Guardian

Douglas* was six in 2011 when his stepfather and two siblings died in a car crash. Court documents show his mother fell into a heavy depression, drank alcohol excessively, and often left him uncared for and unsupervised.

He would arrive at school late with no food, or be found by police wandering the streets.

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