The State Government is seeking your input to guide the development of an independent oversight system to improve the way organisations engaged in child-related work respond to, and report, complaints of child abuse.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) detailed numerous instances of children reporting abuse where they were either not believed or no action was taken.
In response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet is leading work to develop the system of independent oversight to improve child safe cultures and practices in organisations, including how organisations deal with complaints and allegations of child abuse.
This work has included the development of a Green Bill to establish a reportable conduct scheme. The scheme will ensure all instances and allegations of child abuse in applicable organisations are reported to an independent body, which will assist the organisation in responding to the reported incident.
More information about the independent oversight consultation, including how to provide comment on the Green Bill, is available at https://www.wa.gov.au/independent-oversight-system-consultation
As stated by Child Protection Minister Simone McGurk:
“The community has a right to expect that our children are safe within the organisations we trust to protect, educate, care and nurture them.
“The McGowan Government is committed to ensuring that all members of our community, but especially our children, are safe, strong and able to achieve their full potential.
“To ensure our oversight system best supports the WA community, I encourage peak bodies, child-related organisations, parents and caregivers and children and young people to have their say.”
