TRUE STORY A grandmother was given care of six little ones under the age of nine. All showed signs and behaviours associated with trauma, neglect and abuse. The Department of Health and Human Services in Victoria dropped them off to the grandmother, giving her ONE cot (keep in mind there were 4 children under 5) and eventually three bags of groceries. That was it. Nothing else. No formula No nappies No bedding No food No financial assistance No support NOTHING Six traumatised children, placed in her care in an all too common Drop & Run scenario. After two months (8 weeks, or 56 days) she was finally given the financial assistance federally mandated that should have been initiated within the first week of the children's placement. But did she allow the children to miss out? No! She asked/begged for help where ever she could and the general public and other kinship carers rallied around her to ensure the kids had everything they needed. Now after 6 months in a secure, safe and nurturing environment, 'someone' told the 9 yr old that if she said grandma was belting them, that they could go and live back with mum and dad. So that's what the 9 year old done, he told the caseworker that grandma had been belting them and broken one of his ribs. Wham bam, the kids were removed pending an investigation. Seperated and placed into 3 different foster homes these kids have been retraumatised, not being allowed to talk to the grandma, more than likely thinking they are the ones to blame and being away from their siblings for the first time in their lives. Now 6 months later DHHS have completed their investigation (including forensic investigation) and have found NO evidence, Yep you read it right ''''NO'''' evidence of abuse on any level. Physical, emotional or on any other level. Here comes the kicker. These children will not be returned to the grandmother, where the siblings can be reunited, even though the charges have been found to have no substance. Due to the grandmother standing up for her rights and not agreeing to the charges, DHHS have taken retaliatory action by not returning the kids. Unfortunately this story is not uncommon. Hearts are breaking, families are shattered and DHHS continue to operate outside their guidelines despite the Victorian Ombudsman's scathing report. Unless we stand up now, it will be another 10 years before this crisis is addressed. These kids need your help now. Don't turn away thinking it's someone else's problem because with increased drug use and cuts in mental health services its no longer a matter of ''if'' this will affect you but ''when''.