Report on Gov't measures to deal with paedophilia presented to Cabinet

24/6/98

The Minister for Family and Children's Services Rhonda Parker said today that she had presented a report to State Cabinet last week on progress made by Government in addressing the recommendations of the NSW Wood Royal Commission on paedophilia relevant to Western Australia.

The creation of a Children's Commission was a recommendation of the NSW Wood Royal Commission regarding paedophilia.

The Royal Commission concluded that it was necessary to establish a new Children's Commission with appropriate powers and capacity to oversee and coordinate the delivery of services for the protection of children from abuse.

"The State Government is committed to the continuous improvement of our response to child abuse and acknowledges the importance of improved coordination and cooperation across Government and non government agencies," Mrs Parker said.

"In recent years a number of initiatives to improve coordination of service delivery to children who have been abused have been introduced:

·      the establishment of Reciprocal Child Protection Procedures between all relevant Government agencies in 1996;

·      the establishment of the Child Protection Services Register to coordinate service delivery between relevant Government agencies in 1996;

·      the establishment of the WA Child Protection Council in 1998 to promote coordination between Government and non government agencies involved in service delivery to children who have been abused and to advise Government on how to further improve coordination between Government and non- Government agencies; and -

·      the development of plans for out of court video taped interviews of children to be used as evidence.

"Other initiatives to be announced include the development of a proposal for joint interviewing/investigation teams between the Police and Family and Children's Services," the Minister said.

"However, the formal mechanism to meet the needs and ensure the coordination of service delivery to children who have been abused is the Child Protection Services Register.

I have introduced legislation into Parliament today to amend the Child Welfare Act 1947. The Child Welfare Amendment Bill 1998 introduces the Child Protection Services Register into the Child Welfare Act 1947.

"Once this legislation is passed by Parliament the Child Protection Services Register will be a very effective tool for coordination of services delivery across Government.

The Register and its manager will have the appropriate powers and capacity to oversee and coordinate service delivery for the protection of children from abuse, including sexual, physical and emotional abuse and will meet the needs to coordinate service delivery.

"The coordinating function of the role of the Commissioner will be met by this formal mechanism.

"At this stage the Government does not intend to establish a Children's Commission but rather believes the initiatives being implemented in a real way fulfill the requirement to improve the coordination of services being provided to children who have been abused."

Media Contact: Donna Cole 9481 7810