Indigenous advocates say children are being failed by the very systems designed to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
On Tuesday, the Northern Territory coroner handed down findings on the suspected suicides of three teenagers in remote communities in the Top End.
Judge Greg Cavanagh didn t rule out foul play in the deaths of one of the girls but said departmental agencies had been blind to the stress and trauma the girls suffered in their short lives - including rape, molestation and apathy.
CEO of Thirrili Jacqueline McGowan-Jones and Thirrili suicide postvention advocate Gracelyn Smallcombe are calling for better services for at risk young people. Government departments had missed warning signs, according to Thirrili s chief executive Jacqueline McGowan-Jones.
TRIGGER WARNING:This story contains details that may be distressing to some readers
Multiple criminal offences may have been committed in relation to the suspected suicides of three teenage girls in Top End remote communities, the Northern Territory Coroner has said in an inquest report released on Tuesday.
The inquest examined the circumstances of the deaths of three teenage girls who died in 2016 and 2017: Keturah Mamarika aged 16 in Groote Eylandt; Layla Leering aged 15 in Bulla; and Fionica James aged 17 in Warruwi.
Presiding over the court, Judge Greg Cavanagh, has referred the investigations to NT Police for further investigation and potential prosecution.