Shocking revelations surrounding the tragic death of nine-year-old Charlise Mutten have arised in the media over the past week.
Charlise was reported missing on Friday 14 January 2022, while spending her holidays at a Blue Mountains property owned by her mother’s fiancé, Justin Stein. A full-scale search involving the homicide squad, specialist and local police, and other volunteering services commenced immediately. On Tuesday 18 January 2022, police searched a site near the Colo River, and found Charlise’s body inside a barrel. Court documents allege that Charlise was killed between 7PM on Tuesday 11 January and 10AM on Wednesday 12 January. Mr Stein has since been arrested and charged with the murder of Charlise Mutten.
Both Charlise’s mother Kallista Mutten and Mr Stein have complex histories. Her mother was convicted and spent approximately two years in prison after being found guilty of dangerous driving causing death and driving with an illicit drug in her system in 2016. Mr Stein has been under long-term care for serious mental health problems and has been prescribed high doses of antipsychotic drugs for many years.
Child abuse is any form of ill treatment by someone in a position of responsibility, trust or power, that harms a child’s health, survival, development or dignity. It is a conversation that makes many people uncomfortable, but it is a conversation that must be taught in schools and spoken about in public discourse.
There are many platforms available to victims to be able to reach out:
- Child Protection Helpline 13 2111
- Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 – free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling for young people aged between 5 and 25 in Australia.
- 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 – 24-hour national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line.
- Beyond Blue 1300 22 4639 – information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, any age and location.
If you or anyone you know might be experiencing family violence, please do not hesitate to reach out and call us on 02 8999 9809.