Researchers find child abuse common in foster families

ELEANOR HALL: As the Victorian Government grapples with a damning report on the abuse of children in foster care, child protection researchers say de-institutionalisation around the nation has failed. Monash University's National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse says there are hundreds of cases of abuse in foster care every year in Australia, and it's advocating an expansion of Government-run homes to help solve the problem. As Annie Guest reports. ANNIE GUEST: Researchers say states are failing to protect children, demonstrated by increasingly frequent reports of abuse and workers complaining they're unable to cope. Monash University's National Research Centre for the Prevention of Child Abuse wants a national approach including more child protection workers and earlier support for young families.

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