World Vision Australia CEO Claire Rogers has expressed deep concern at revelations by ABC's Four Corners that children as young as 10 are being detained in adult watch houses in deplorable circumstances in Queensland.
"At World Vision we believe that no child belongs behind bars, no matter where they are in the world, and we were shocked by the footage we saw of children being mistreated in our own country," she said.
"Australia must protect its most vulnerable citizens in line with international human rights laws. And as we commemorate 30 years of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, World Vision calls on governments in Australia to show leadership and stop incarcerating children. Australia should instead invest in community rehabilitation that helps nurture, heal and support children to reach their highest potential."
