Children turn to crime to survive in ‘Cross’

Press, 2 June 1982, Page 5

Children turn to crime to survive in ‘Cross’

NZPA Sydney The bright lights and nightlife of Sydney’s Kings Cross acts as a magnet for New Zealand tourists. But it is also the attraction for homeless New Zealand children, who, like their Australian counterparts, turn to drugs, prostitution, and crime.

A report by the New South Wales Homeless Children’s Association shows that 5 per cent of the children who passed through its Darlinghurst refuge in the last 13 months came from New Zealand.

Mr Simon Davies, the association's chief executive officer, estimated that there would be between 2000 . and 3000 homeless children in Kings Cross. That counted those living in boarding houses or with a “sugar daddy” — all those without a home in the usual sense of the word.

The association was set up around 14 months ago and funded by business and in its first 13 months. 242 young people passed through the refuge — 14 of them from New Zealand.

The average age of the youngsters in the. survey was 15 years and seven months. In ali, : 311 children passed through) the refuge but the analysis has been broken down into sections, each with a different sample number, because information was used only if it was shown or believed to be factual.

A sample of 90 children on their financial position and lifestyle revealed that of 41 who were too - young to receive . welfare benefits (being under 16 years of age), 31 had resorted to prostitution to make,money or had ‘ become involved in crime.

A total 72 per cent of this group of 90 became drunk more than three times a week and 68. per cent were “stoned” on nori-narcotic drugs or chemical substances more than three times a week.

Nearly half of the youngsters suffered from medical problems ranging from asthma, venereal disease, and skin rashes to septic infections and hepatitis. The average age of this sample was 14 years and eight months. . A group of 150 surveyed on their reasons for being homeless showed most being either thrown out of home (42 per cent) or leaving after an argument or problem (48 per cent). Almost unanimously the children said they were “anti-police,” “anti-Govern-ment,” and rated society as being “stuffed.” s Only 35 per. cent saw themselves as “sexually 0.K.,” and just 20 per cent believed they had the capacity to hold a good job.

More than half saw themselves dying young. .y:

Mr Davies said that for some death was a “viable option.”

“Death is a resort, just as for some kids. the prison system is a resort. . . “Death is an answer for a lot of kids."