We have failed too many children

THE record over many years and governments shows that issues relating to children, particularly children on the margins, are not given priority.

Our constitution specifically allows us to have due regard to their position. The tragic reality is that having failed them for decades, we continued to fail those at risk by not putting in place the necessary legislative measures.

It is not until later in life, when many of these children become criminals filling our prisons at enormous cost to the state, that the issue of justice receives high-profile attention by Government departments.