14-Year-Old Girl Pimped Out While in Victorian State Care

Added by David Sandercock on April 14, 2011

An investigation has been launched by the Victorian State Government into claims that a 14-year-old girl was sold for sex by another 15-year-old girl while they were both under the care of the Victorian state.

It is alleged that the 14-year-old was pimped out by the older girl while staying a state-run residential centre. Staff at the centre knew about the girl but failed to act, the Herald Sun reported.

The investigation, led by the Department of Human Services (DHS), was launched last year when the issue was finally brought to the light. Mary Wooldridge, Community Services Minister, issued a statement in which she said the state has acted appropriately.

 

“Whenever the Government or department receives allegations of harm in relation to a child in state care, they are investigated as a matter of priority,” Wooldridge said.

Victoria Police say they have not been notified of the allegations.

The alleged prostitution case follows another revelation yesterday about a 12-year-old girl falling pregnant when she was under state care.

While  Premier Ted Baillieu admitted to a “failure of the system”, he emphasised that what is important now is to focus on supporting the young mother and her child.