❓ A parliamentary question regarding the Department of Education and Training's handling of child sexual abuse allegations, specifically addressing concerns about prioritising employee welfare over child safety and reluctance to involve the police. The Minister assures that reporting to police is mandatory and disciplinary action will be taken for non-compliance.
AnsweredQoN 870Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING - CORRUPTION AND CRIME COMMISSION INVESTIGATION
I refer the minister to the executive summary of the Corruption and Crime Commission’s report into the handling by the Department of Education and Training of allegations of sexual misconduct by staff against children, entitled “Sexual Contact with Children by Persons in Authority in the Department of Education and Training of Western Australia”. (1) Does the minister agree that two of the problems identified, that of greater weight being given to employee welfare than the provision of a safe environment, and that of insufficient attention to ensuring that police are notified, can cause community concern by suggesting that there is a tendency to cover up child sexual abuse allegations in schools from the police and public? (2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
I refer the minister to the executive summary of the Corruption and Crime Commission’s report into the handling by the Department of Education and Training of allegations of sexual misconduct by staff against children, entitled “Sexual Contact with Children by Persons in Authority in the Department of Education and Training of Western Australia”. (1) Does the minister agree that two of the problems identified, that of greater weight being given to employee welfare than the provision of a safe environment, and that of insufficient attention to ensuring that police are notified, can cause community concern by suggesting that there is a tendency to cover up child sexual abuse allegations in schools from the police and public? (2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(1) Does the minister agree that two of the problems identified, that of greater weight being given to employee welfare than the provision of a safe environment, and that of insufficient attention to ensuring that police are notified, can cause community concern by suggesting that there is a tendency to cover up child sexual abuse allegations in schools from the police and public? (2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(1) Does the minister agree that two of the problems identified, that of greater weight being given to employee welfare than the provision of a safe environment, and that of insufficient attention to ensuring that police are notified, can cause community concern by suggesting that there is a tendency to cover up child sexual abuse allegations in schools from the police and public? (2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(2) If not, how does the minister interpret a reluctance to call in the police on allegations of sexual misconduct against children? (3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(3) If the minister agrees that a reluctance to call in the police can create concern in the community, what does the minister intend to do to ensure that police are notified of all allegations of sexual abuse of children within our schools? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(1) The department is committed to the safety and welfare of all students and it is obligatory for all Department of Education and Training employees to report to police any allegations of sexual contact with students by employees. When an employee fails to comply with reporting responsibilities, disciplinary proceedings will be instigated. (2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(2) Not applicable. (3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
(3) All allegations of sexual contact of students by an employee are reported to police as a matter of course.
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