Close group homes and protect vulnerable children
The Issue
Growing up in a group home was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was one of many who faced sexual exploitation while residing in a place that was supposed to provide safety and care. The abuse I endured was misrepresented as a twisted form of help, a narrative that was depressingly familiar among my peers. It's a dark reality that remains prevalent, with an estimated 1 in 3 children in group homes experiencing sexual exploitation today. This isn't just a statistic—it's an unacceptable crisis that has plagued vulnerable children for over 70 years.
Group homes, or residential units (resi units), have perpetuated cycles of abuse and trauma, spanning across generations. They were initially designed as a refuge and haven for children lacking stable family environments, yet the reality has been starkly different. Instead, these institutions have criminalised children and ignored their basic rights, often leaving emotional and physical scars that last a lifetime.
There are better ways to care for vulnerable children—ways that don't involve exposing them to further harm. The state and federal governments have the power and resources to explore and implement safer, more nurturing alternatives. Community-based living solutions, increased support for foster families, and well-monitored kinship care arrangements are viable options that must be prioritized over maintaining the antiquated and dysfunctional group home system.
It's our collective responsibility to ensure that no child undergoes the torment and exploitation that I and countless others have suffered. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, caring environment where their rights and well-being are paramount. By closing group homes and reallocating resources towards safer and more supportive alternatives, we can enact this change.
For Child Protection Week, let’s commit to safeguarding the futures of all children. Help us push for the closure of group homes and demand systemic reform. Sign this petition to call on local, state, and federal authorities to dismantle the current, harmful system and replace it with compassionate, effective care models that truly protect and nurture children.
16
The Issue
Growing up in a group home was a nightmare that never seemed to end. I was one of many who faced sexual exploitation while residing in a place that was supposed to provide safety and care. The abuse I endured was misrepresented as a twisted form of help, a narrative that was depressingly familiar among my peers. It's a dark reality that remains prevalent, with an estimated 1 in 3 children in group homes experiencing sexual exploitation today. This isn't just a statistic—it's an unacceptable crisis that has plagued vulnerable children for over 70 years.
Group homes, or residential units (resi units), have perpetuated cycles of abuse and trauma, spanning across generations. They were initially designed as a refuge and haven for children lacking stable family environments, yet the reality has been starkly different. Instead, these institutions have criminalised children and ignored their basic rights, often leaving emotional and physical scars that last a lifetime.
There are better ways to care for vulnerable children—ways that don't involve exposing them to further harm. The state and federal governments have the power and resources to explore and implement safer, more nurturing alternatives. Community-based living solutions, increased support for foster families, and well-monitored kinship care arrangements are viable options that must be prioritized over maintaining the antiquated and dysfunctional group home system.
It's our collective responsibility to ensure that no child undergoes the torment and exploitation that I and countless others have suffered. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, caring environment where their rights and well-being are paramount. By closing group homes and reallocating resources towards safer and more supportive alternatives, we can enact this change.
For Child Protection Week, let’s commit to safeguarding the futures of all children. Help us push for the closure of group homes and demand systemic reform. Sign this petition to call on local, state, and federal authorities to dismantle the current, harmful system and replace it with compassionate, effective care models that truly protect and nurture children.
The Decision Makers
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on 10 September 2026