Opp'n claims about paedophilia irresponsible and lacking credibility

3/3/98

Family and Children's Services Minister Rhonda Parker has dismissed as irresponsible and lacking credibility claims by Labour MLA Megan Anwyl that Family and Children's Services encouraged paedophilia.

"In a democratic system not only is Government accountable, the Opposition also has to take responsibility for its public statements," Mrs Parker said.

"I am reluctant to speak in public about the details of a particular case and I am disappointed that Ms Anwyl plays politics with what can only be described as very sad and difficult circumstances for the families involved."

The Department of Family and Children's Services was not involved in 1993 in a case of alleged sexual abuse against Michael as stated by Ms Anwyl.

"The department was advised of an allegation of sexual abuse against two other boys by the alleged offender," Mrs Parker said.

"According to inter-agency protocols, the case was immediately transferred to police, who investigated the case and laid charges."

In the course of that investigation police interviewed Michael on November 2, 1993, but failed to get any disclosure or information about an allegation of sexual abuse against him.

"If the allegations are of intra-familiar abuse, the department would, as a priority, act to secure the safety of the child," Mrs Parker said.

"However, where the allegation is of extra-familiar abuse and the safety of the child is assured, protocols direct that the police service has responsibility for the investigation of the matter, as it is a criminal offence.

"In this particular case in 1993, there was at that stage no allegation of sexua abuse against Michael, therefore police could not advise the parents that there was.

"The responsibility of the Department of Family and Children's Services is to protect a child as best it can from abuse. All elements of a criminal investigation are a matter for the police.

"This Government places the highest priority on the care of our children. The Department of Family and Children's Services continuously monitors its processes to ensure the highest standard of care for children, particularly those at risk.

"New initiatives which are in place because of the commitment for continual improvement are the Reciprocal Child Protection Procedures, the Child Protection Services Register and the Child Victim Witness Service.

"For the Labor spokesperson for Family and Children's Services to say the department routinely fails to advise parents of allegations of abuse is not only false, but indicates that she lacks understanding of the respective roles of the different Government agencies involved in child protection procedure.,"

Media contact : Nicole Trigwell 9481 7810