If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
(Australia) Foster parent on bond for assaulting children
http://tinyurl.com/gbov
Foster parent on bond for assaulting children By MALCOLM WEATHERUP 09jul03 A TOWNSVILLE foster parent was placed on a two-year good behaviour bond when she pleaded guilty yesterday to assaulting five children in her care. The woman had originally faced 39 assault counts involving five foster children, but the prosecution agreed to drop the other charges if she pleaded guilty to just five counts of common assault, one for each child. The offences involved slapping, kicking in the buttocks and legs and in one instance, punching a child in the nose. Townsville Magistrates Court heard the woman had been a foster parent to more than 50 children over the past 26 years. Barrister Roger Griffith handed up several references praising the woman's efforts over the years with what he described as "some of the toughest cases" in the foster care program. Magistrate Laurie Verra indicated he faced a difficult task in deciding on an appropriate penalty. "The assaults in themselves did not cause any physical injury outside pain and suffering," Mr Verra said. "I challenge anyone to put forward a universally accepted statement of acceptable discipline for children." Mr Verra noted that the woman had shown a willingness to take on the most difficult cases, and for many years had provided a valuable service to the community. "On the other hand, the court wants to send a message loud and clear to people in similar (foster) positions that it is not all right to use force on children in their care -- they should not be abused," he said. He told the woman she would not be a foster carer again, but that may be a blessing in disguise. "You've done your bit, so as to speak," he told her. Then, saying community service or a monetary fine were inappropriate penalties in this instance, Mr Verra put the woman on a two-year, $1000 good behaviour bond. Outside the court, police prosecutor Senior Constable Steve Morris said the result was the best in the public interest, that the woman could no longer be a foster parent. Senior Constable Peter Nolan, attached to the Juvenile Aid Bureau, said the case had highlighted another message to carers. "If you can't cope, and feel things are getting out of hand, return the child to the authorities, it's as simple as that -- abuse is not the answer," he said. The woman's solicitor Peter Bevan commented that "it is so easy to throw mud". © The North Queensland Newspaper Company Limited |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New Research: Negative effects of spanking | Chris | General | 14 | June 8th 04 07:01 AM |
misc.kids FAQ on Childhood Vaccinations, Part 2/4 | [email protected] | Info and FAQ's | 0 | December 15th 03 09:41 AM |
'Horrible' Home | Kane | General | 1 | July 16th 03 02:29 AM |
| Database should audit high $$ in Foster Care system | Kane | General | 3 | July 15th 03 06:43 AM |