SA commits $190m to counter child abuse

Abuse occurred in every type of care from the 1940s onward

The South Australian government will commit a record $190 million in the budget this week to protect children and combat sex abuse.

Families and Communities Minister Jay Weatherill told The Adelaide Advertiser the $190 million, over four years, was a record for funding in the area.

A total of $142.1 million of the $190 million will cater for the growing number of children needing care and protection due to increased notifications of abuse and neglect.

And $28.2 million has been allocated for early intervention, providing intensive support for families with children at risk of abuse or neglect.

"We have a duty to protect our most vulnerable children," Mr Weatherill said. "We have more than doubled child protection funding since 2002."

The spending represents the most significant government commitment towards combating the shock revelations in the Mullighan inquiry report.

Former Supreme Court justice Ted Mullighan released the results of his three-year inquiry into the abuse of children in state care on April 1, revealing abuse occurred in every type of care from the 1940s onward.

He made 54 recommendations, which the Rann government is expected to respond to by June 19.

Related:

Child abuse compo must be fairer: lawyer
The recent Mullighan inquiry investigated cases of abuse among former state wards and made a range of recommendations to the SA Government.

Compensation for SA sex abuse victims
The South Australian Government says it will focus on compensation for victims, now that the inquiry into the sexual abuse of children in state care is complete.