Allegations of abuse inside the Bimberi youth detention centre have been referred to police and the human rights watchdog, the ACT government says.
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It is understood the allegations include the use of "squat and cough" strip searches on children as young as 10, as well as the inappropriate use of force by staff.
Minister for Youth Rachel Stephen-Smith addressed the allegations in a statement tabled at the ACT Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
"When allegations are raised in relation to the behaviour of any employee working in this setting, these are taken very seriously and investigated appropriately while affording all parties appropriate procedural fairness," she said.
"Of course, such investigations can be stressful for staff and can impact on morale."
The Canberra Times has previously revealed how six Bimberi staff were under investigation in relation to three separate incidents.
- Four staff members were stood down after three detainees allegedly assaulted a youth worker on May 6 last year
- One staff member was stood down for allegedly "inappropriately" watching a detainee in the shower
- Another staff member was investigated for an "unauthorised physical interaction" with a detainee
Some staff have also secretly approached human rights lawyers to raise concerns about the misuse of strip search procedures inside the facility, particularly the "squat and cough".
"I would like to assure the assembly that all matters raised in recent weeks are being appropriately responded to by the Human Rights Commission, which has the statutory authority to investigate these matters," Ms Stephen-Smith said.
"Notwithstanding the investigations undertaken by independent bodies or the Human Rights Commission, all allegations as a matter of course have also been referred to ACT Policing," she added.
Human Rights Commissioner Dr Helen Watchirs OAM confirmed she was looking into concerns privately raised by Bimberi staff members.
"We have a number of regulatory and oversight mechanisms that we are utilising regarding these concerns that have been brought to our attention," she said.
The ACT Greens said urgent action was needed to fix the problems inside Bimberi.
"When it comes to protecting the rights of children, we cannot afford any further delay," said Greens assembly member Caroline Le Couteur.
"Particularly given the apparent erosion of culture and practice in the Bimberi youth facility among some staff more recently, now is the time to act."
Ms Stephen-Smith used her statement to highlight the "significant reduction" in the number of children engaged with the territory's youth justice system.
"The ACT is recognised as a national leader in the provision of youth justice services and received a gold award in the 2016 Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards for its innovative approach to achieving a community where fewer children and young people are engaged in, or at risk of, offending," she said.
"This award is a testament to the work of the specialists in child and adolescent psychology, trauma, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement, youth justice, education and health who were involved in the development and implementation of the Blueprint for Youth Justice in the ACT."
