Critical period to stop new mums slipping through gaps
The greatest risk of major depression for new mothers is two weeks after giving birth, a study has revealed, sparking calls for better screening and support.
children
Aboriginal groups slam proposed child removal powers
Indigenous rights group believe proposed child safety reforms will "deepen an already devastating crisis" and portrays Aboriginal communities as dangerous.
Doubts tougher penalties will deter crime gangs
A former cop and criminologist warns new laws increasing jail time for criminal syndicates won't deter them or the teens they hire to do their dirty work.
Staff suspended over welfare fears before girl’s death
The alleged murder of a five-year-old girl has led to three child protection workers being stood down amid concerns over how her welfare case was handled.
Author Craig Silvey admits child exploitation crimes
Australian author Craig Silvey has pleaded guilty to possessing and distributing child exploitation material, as prosecutors dropped two other charges.
Accused outback child killer to stay behind bars
A man accused of the horrific murder of five‑year‑old Kumanjayi Little Baby near Alice Springs has been excused from appearing in court via video link.
Woman charged over torture and neglect of young girl
A woman has been charged with torture and failing to provide the necessities of life to a child who has been in intensive care for almost three months.
‘Dirty daddy’: ex-priest’s Christmas hunt for child sex
A former priest who tried to meet three children for sex told someone he shared vile images and video with that there was "no such thing as too young".
‘No place in hell’ for father over fatal crash cover-up
The mother of two siblings killed in a horrific car crash has said the unlicensed driver's father failed as a parent after falsely reporting the SUV as stolen.
Primary school teacher accused of filming inside toilet
A teacher has been refused bail over claims he tried to hide a camera allegedly used to film primary school students, which was found inside a school bathroom.
‘See you in heaven’: family heartbreak after body found
The mother of an abducted girl has provided a heartbreaking tribute after a body was found in a large-scale search, saying her family will meet her in heaven.
Young children who died in tragic house fire identified
A fundraiser supporting a family who lost two children in a house fire on the day they were due to move interstate has revealed tragic details about the blaze.
Husband betrayed by ‘cruel’ wife who faked son’s cancer
A mother who faked her six-year-old son's cancer diagnosis to raise thousands of dollars has been jailed for more than four years.
Fears for girl’s safety as kidnap suspect eludes search
People know the location of a man who allegedly abducted a five-year-old girl, say police who have found a child's underwear during the massive search.
‘Deeply concerning’: childcare centre closures attacked
An embattled childcare group rocked by abuse allegations against one of its workers is closing down dozens of centres.
Gasps as ex-charity worker avoids jail over abuse book
An author will be placed on the sex offenders register after penning a novel found to describe the sexual abuse of a child through explicit toddler role-play.
Children’s commissioner ignored on laws targeting kids
Legal and policy reforms since a damning royal commission report have continued to breach children's rights, a youth justice inquiry has been told.
Survivors leave hospital after inferno killed children
The surviving family members of a house fire that killed two children and hospitalised four siblings and a parent have been discharged from hospital.
Magistrate’s son to face trial over child abuse charges
The son of a magistrate will face trial accused of 129 charges including dozens for alleged child sexual offences, a court has ruled.
Dirty dozen list boosts ‘adult crime, adult time’ laws
Sweeping additions to a state's "adult crime, adult time" laws have been introduced while giving police new powers to crack down on anti‑social behaviour.
US gunman kills seven of his children and another child
A gunman in Louisiana has killed eight children, including seven of his own, and shot two women in a domestic violence attack.
Roblox’s game-changing safety overhaul under scrutiny
The sweeping changes to the controversial gaming platform came after Communications Minister Anika Wells called for an urgent meeting.
accident (general)
children
death and dying
emergency incident
police
safety of citizens
swimming
water
Schoolgirl drowns at popular swimming spot
A family is in mourning after a schoolgirl drowned at a popular swimming spot.
children
computing and information technology
internet
mass media
people - social issue
regulatory policy and organisation
report
safety of citizens
social issue
social issues (general)
survey
More young people like social media ban than oppose it
Months after more children were banned from social media, almost half of young people support the change even as they worry about missing out.
‘Vaccine-fatigued’ Aussies vulnerable to big flu season
Doctors shell-shocked from 2025's record-breaking flu season are warning another significant round is on the way if vaccination rates stay low.
‘Warning flare’ for high Indigenous kids’ jail rates
Laws sold as a solution to community safety are being used to lock up First Nations youth while fuelling future crime, according to experts.
Government under fire for ‘cherry-picking’ crime stats
Statistics show "adult crime, adult time" laws are turning the tide on youth offending, a state government says, as it's accused of cherry-picking data.
Child safety sector players buying gold, crypto
Residential care for children in one state has become an outlier, with industry figures spending profits on luxury cars, gold and executive salaries.
Helping sick kids in the bush one flight at a time
A young female pilot is flying solo nationwide to raise funds for sick children in regional areas with her sights set on breaking a Guinness world record.
Tech firms ‘taking the mickey’ on teen social media ban
Despite a compliance report saying a large share of teens are still using social media, the government has hailed its youth ban a success.
‘No justice’: grieving mum sobs as killer driver jailed
A mother has broken down in tears while lamenting the sentence handed to the driver who smashed into a car, killing her two children.