Nearly 300 street children are at a risk of becoming prey to sexual predators in regional cities and country towns of Adelaide.
Former Supreme Court judge Ted Mullighan, QC, asserted that abuse of street children is not a new thing in the region. Usually the children are runaways from state care who are further exploited for sexual favors.
It is the result of a widespread lack of adequate supervision of children in state care and foster care over many years.
Most of the victimized children due to fear, do not disclose their treatment.
Mr Mullighan indicated that in the past, there have been cases where the welfare, police, prosecutors, churches, sports and social organizations have disbelieved children who reported child sexual abuse.
He believed these attitudes still exist, although conceded probably to a much lesser extent.
Thus, lately a report has been furnished in the regard with all kinds of such shortcomings so that the issues could be put in front of the public for seeking their comments.
