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

This is being done by:

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

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.

• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Statement of Intent. 
• Royal Commission response speech - delivered by Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk.
• Official WA Response 2018 - response by Minister McGurk on behalf of the Government of Western Australian
• WA response recommendations - detailed responses to each of the 409 recommendations 
• Media statement: (27 June 2018) WA responds to Royal Commission and signs up to National Redress Scheme
• Media statement: (27 June 2018) WA to sign up to National Redress Scheme
• Premier of Western Australia's Royal Commission response and apology

• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2021 Progress Report 
• Media statement (8 April 2022): State Government delivering on commitments following Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse    
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2020 Progress Report
• Media statement: 23 December 2020 WA child protection centre to build on work of Royal Commission
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2019 Progress Report
• Media statement: 22 December 2019 App gives more children a voice in response to Royal Commission
• Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2018 Progress Report
• Media statement: 19 December 2018 First annual progress report on Royal Commission released

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.