How the WA Government is implementing the recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

Western Australian Government's response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission.
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The Western Australian Government is committed to creating a Safer WA for children and young people.

What we are doing

The Royal Commission made 409 recommendations, of which 310 are for the Western Australian Government to action.

This is being done by:

  • Healing Past Hurts
  • Protecting Children Now
  • Preventing Further Harm

Background 

Following the release of the Royal Commission’s Final Report in 2017, the WA Government acknowledged the bravery and courage of survivors who took part in this important work, and committed to progress the priorities identified in the report to ensure history does not repeat itself.

On 15 December 2017, the Western Australian Government released its Statement of Intent by Minister McGurk on behalf of the Government of Western Australia. This provided the government’s strong commitment to address historical abuse that has occurred, prevent further abuse from happening in the future, and ensure a swift response to abuse should it occur again. 

The Western Australian Government’s official response to the Royal Commission’s recommendations was subsequently released on 27 June 2018 with a formal apology delivered by the Premier of Western Australia to survivors of sexual abuse.

WA Progress Reports

The Western Australian Government has committed to table annual progress reports in Parliament for five consecutive years, pursuant to recommendation 17.2 of the Royal Commission’s Final Report.

Australian Centre for Child Protection Western Australia

The Western Australian Government is funding the Australian Centre for Child Protection Western Australia (ACCP-WA) to deliver a program of work to inform implementation of Royal Commission recommendations about preventing and responding to children with harmful sexual behaviours.

The Royal Commission provided an overview of the nature and extent of harmful sexual behaviours in children and young people, current responses and what needs to happen to address the issue. 

Funding ACCP-WA to address this complex issue affirms the State Government’s commitment to the development of evidenced-based, therapeutic responses to harmful sexual behaviours that are tailored to the needs of Western Australian children, young people and communities.

The first product from ACCP-WA’s program of work has been released: Framework for Understanding and Guiding Responses to Harmful Sexual Behaviours in Children and Young People.

You can view the webinar launch of the Framework, delivered by the Hon. Simone McGurk, Minister for Child Protection with ACCP Director, Professor Leah Bromfield and Deputy Director, Ms Amanda Paton.

Please visit the Australian Centre for Child Protection's website for more information. 

Finding help and support

National Redress Scheme
Support services
Child Safe Organisations WA
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

More information

Safer WA for Children and Young People

Contact