- All recommendations in St Andrew's Hostel Special Inquiry report to be implemented
- Ex gratia scheme to be established for victims of abuse in country high school hostels
- Commissioner for Children and Young People to oversee a 'one-stop shop' for reporting child abuse
Premier Colin Barnett today tabled in State Parliament the St Andrew's Hostel Special Inquiry report, St Andrew's Hostel Katanning - How the System and Society Failed our Children.
The inquiry, conducted by former Supreme Court Justice the Honourable Peter Blaxell, was commissioned to investigate the response of government agencies and officials in regard to allegations of sexual abuse at St Andrew's Hostel in Katanning.
"The report includes five recommendations, each of which the Government has committed to implementing," Mr Barnett said.
"Among these is the establishment of a child-focused, 'one-stop shop' central complaints system for reporting concerns of child abuse.
"The State Government has determined the Commissioner for Children and Young People is best-placed to oversee this system, taking into account the role's high public profile, independence and sole purpose as a protector of children's interests."
The Premier also announced the Government would establish an ex gratia scheme to provide payments and counselling for children who were abused while under the care of the Country High School Hostels Authority.
People who were subjected to abuse as a resident of a hostel under the Country High School Hostels Authority will be eligible to apply for ex gratia payments of up to $45,000. Applications will open on November 30 and will be managed by the Department for Communities.
A hotline established during the inquiry to provide access to WA Police and counselling services through Crisis Care will remain available through to January 31.
"This Government wants to ensure the shocking breaches of trust that occurred at these institutions are never repeated," Mr Barnett said.
"On behalf of the Government and the community, I apologise to the victims and their families for the abuse that was able to continue over such a long period of time."
The Premier also thanked Hon. Blaxell for the sensitive and thorough manner in which he conducted his inquiry and acknowledged the courage of the witnesses who came forward to assist with the investigations.
Fact File
- Hon. Blaxell was appointed by the Public Sector Commissioner on November 22, 2011 and delivered his report to the State Government on August 3
- The report's other recommendations are:
- The development of a child-focused complaint system within the Country High School Hostels Authority that enables complaints to be made externally and provides support for the child involved
- The inclusion of CHSHA staff under the Department of Child Protection's list of mandatory reporters of suspected child sex abuse
- A review into the Department of Education's delivery of its preventative behaviours curriculum
- The development of a training program for CHSHA board members covering areas such as complaint handling and duty of care
- Full report and terms of reference available at http://www.publicsector.wa.gov.au/
- Hotline available at 1800 227 792
Premier's office - 6552 5000
