Autistic student locked in cage at Canberra school, forms part of UN submission for mistreatment
Photos of a cage used for a 10-year-old student who suffers with autism are forming part of a UN investigation into the mistreatment of students with disabilities at Australian schools.
The boy, who attended a Canberra school at the time, was locked in the specially built blue cage last year before the disturbing images surfaced.
At the time, then-ACT education minister Joy Burch said she was disappointed the images were leaked to the media.
The boy struggled so violently to get out of the cage, he broke the lock, Fairfax Media reports.
Autistic boy put in cage at Canberra school
Investigation launched into cage structure at Canberra school
An investigation found the $5195 cage was built with school funding and approved by the then-school principal.
"The decision was made without input, consultation or approval from within the school or the Directorate," the investigation found.
The principal was subsequently removed from the school.
According to Fairfax Media, the cage incident will form part of a 55 student submission across Australia.
Other claims include students being locked in cupboards, tied to chairs with belts, being deprived of water for long periods and being degraded in front of classmates.
Half of those students say they were put in "time out" or "calm down" rooms.
The UN says it is still considering evidence as part of the submission.
News break – August 13
