❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on sexual abuse related to teenage abortions and clarifies reporting requirements for school nurses regarding suspected abuse. The Minister states the data isn't collected and clarifies nurses' reporting obligations.
AnsweredQoN 126Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
TEENAGE GIRLS - SEXUAL ABUSE
(1) Of the 35 girls under 15 years of age who had abortions in 2004, how many had pregnancies that were the result of sexual abuse? (2) Are school nurses required to report suspicion of sexual abuse when counselling and referring teenage girls to doctors for abortions and advice of sexually transmitted diseases? Hon SUE ELLERY
(1) Of the 35 girls under 15 years of age who had abortions in 2004, how many had pregnancies that were the result of sexual abuse? (2) Are school nurses required to report suspicion of sexual abuse when counselling and referring teenage girls to doctors for abortions and advice of sexually transmitted diseases? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
(1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(2) Are school nurses required to report suspicion of sexual abuse when counselling and referring teenage girls to doctors for abortions and advice of sexually transmitted diseases? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(2) Are school nurses required to report suspicion of sexual abuse when counselling and referring teenage girls to doctors for abortions and advice of sexually transmitted diseases? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: (1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(1) The WA abortion notification system does not collect information on the circumstances in which the pregnancy occurred. It is therefore not possible to answer this question. (2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
(2) School nurses do not refer teenage girls to doctors for abortions; they refer them for medical advice and counselling. School nurses work according to the Department of Health “Guidelines for Responding to Child Abuse, Neglect and the Impact of Family and Domestic Violence”. If a school nurse has a concern about sexual abuse due to disclosure or evidence, she must consult with her line manager and report to the Department for Community Development. This would occur irrespective of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection.
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