Aboriginal children have the right to grow up safe and strong in their culture and community. Our kids deserve every chance to safely enjoy childhood in their own families, wrapped up in the love of their parents, aunties and uncles, siblings and grandparents.

Yet right now, the out-of-home care system is tearing Aboriginal children away from everything they know. In NSW, government authorities remove Aboriginal children from their homes at 10 times the rate of non-Indigenous kids.

Compared to other kids, our children are taken away younger, they stay in the damaging out-of-home care system for longer, and they are less likely to be returned to their families. Many of them are torn away from their culture and community – robbed of key parts of their identity. This is in violation of their human rights.

The out-of-home care system causes irrevocable damage to the very children it claims to protect. Removing children from their home increases their risk of being imprisoned in juvenile detention. And despite the incredible strength of these young people, they are far more likely to experience homelessness and teen pregnancy than their peers – and then their own kids are likely to be taken away.

This is the reality for thousands of Aboriginal children in NSW right this moment. The system is broken – and our kids are paying the price. Will you add your name and help us urge the Government to act?