What era focused on protection but also led to significant child removal rates?

The Protection Era is recognized for its emphasis on the welfare of children, particularly in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. During this time, policies were developed with the intention of safeguarding children from perceived neglect or abuse within their families and cultures. However, this protective stance often resulted in widespread and systematic removal of children from their families, a practice stemming from a belief that indigenous cultures were detrimental to the children's wellbeing.

The tensions in this era highlight a contradiction: while the stated aim was to protect children, the methodologies employed often led to profound disruptions in family and cultural ties. The emphasis was on what authorities viewed as the best interests of the child, which frequently sidelined the rights, needs, and voices of both the children and their families. This period became notorious for the high rates of child removals, which had lasting social and cultural impacts.

Understanding this context underscores the complexities of child welfare policies during the Protection Era, illustrating how well-intentioned initiatives can lead to negative outcomes when not carefully implemented and when cultural considerations are ignored.