❓ Mrs. Hayden questions the Minister for Child Protection regarding assurances of child safety in Roebourne, particularly concerning perpetrators and victims attending the same school. The Minister defends the safety measures in place and highlights broader community safety initiatives.
AnsweredQoN 983Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
CHILD PROTECTION —
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE — ROEBOURNE
983. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
response in this house on 22 November, in which she did not deny that six
identified perpetrators are attending the same school as their victims, and her
public assurance that there is no risk because of oversight by authorities.
(1) Given the
evidence by the Minister for Education and Training to a parliamentary
committee that the Department of Education does not know whether any of the six
perpetrators are at the same school as their victims, can the minister confirm
that her assurances carry no weight?
(2) Will the
minister now work with the Minister for Education and Training to determine
whether victims and other children are out of harm's way?
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE — ROEBOURNE
983. Mrs A.K. HAYDEN to the Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the minister's
response in this house on 22 November, in which she did not deny that six
identified perpetrators are attending the same school as their victims, and her
public assurance that there is no risk because of oversight by authorities.
(1) Given the
evidence by the Minister for Education and Training to a parliamentary
committee that the Department of Education does not know whether any of the six
perpetrators are at the same school as their victims, can the minister confirm
that her assurances carry no weight?
(2) Will the
minister now work with the Minister for Education and Training to determine
whether victims and other children are out of harm's way?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
have answered a number of questions on this issue in this house as well as in
the other house, and I continue to give assurances that every possible
protection that can be put in place for children in and around Roebourne is in
place. In regard to those children who have been charged with harmful sexual
behaviour, or are experiencing that, and may be attending schools, there are
safety plans in place, particularly to ensure that they are not in contact with
any victims who may be involved in those offences. I have given that assurance
publicly, on the ABC and in this house, and that continues to be the case.
Throughout the discussions on the
west Pilbara plan, and in relation to Operation Fledermaus, we have made it
clear that we have responded to the immediate concerns about child safety, to
make sure that those concerns are responded to and investigated, and, if
necessary, there are prosecutions, and that the victims are given proper
therapeutic services and responses. We are doing all of that. The other element
of our response has also been articulated in this place as well as in the
public arena, and that is that we are doing what we can to build up a safe
community. There are, I think, 38 houses in Roebourne now that have self-selected
to be alcohol free. Police data has recorded a drop in crime, and that relates
to burglaries and antisocial behaviour, and there has been an increase in drug
detection and assault charges in relation to alcohol abuse.
There is a lot of work to be done—I
do not think anyone is in denial about that—in the west Pilbara and
many other communities, to make sure that we build up the capacity of the
community to deal with these difficult issues, but in relation to the specific
concerns around child safety in and around Roebourne, we are doing everything
that is possible to make sure that children who are victims of child abuse are
given proper services and are kept safe from any perpetrators or people with
harmful sexual behaviours, whether they are children or adults, and that there
are proper therapeutic services available for those victims.
have answered a number of questions on this issue in this house as well as in
the other house, and I continue to give assurances that every possible
protection that can be put in place for children in and around Roebourne is in
place. In regard to those children who have been charged with harmful sexual
behaviour, or are experiencing that, and may be attending schools, there are
safety plans in place, particularly to ensure that they are not in contact with
any victims who may be involved in those offences. I have given that assurance
publicly, on the ABC and in this house, and that continues to be the case.
Throughout the discussions on the
west Pilbara plan, and in relation to Operation Fledermaus, we have made it
clear that we have responded to the immediate concerns about child safety, to
make sure that those concerns are responded to and investigated, and, if
necessary, there are prosecutions, and that the victims are given proper
therapeutic services and responses. We are doing all of that. The other element
of our response has also been articulated in this place as well as in the
public arena, and that is that we are doing what we can to build up a safe
community. There are, I think, 38 houses in Roebourne now that have self-selected
to be alcohol free. Police data has recorded a drop in crime, and that relates
to burglaries and antisocial behaviour, and there has been an increase in drug
detection and assault charges in relation to alcohol abuse.
There is a lot of work to be done—I
do not think anyone is in denial about that—in the west Pilbara and
many other communities, to make sure that we build up the capacity of the
community to deal with these difficult issues, but in relation to the specific
concerns around child safety in and around Roebourne, we are doing everything
that is possible to make sure that children who are victims of child abuse are
given proper services and are kept safe from any perpetrators or people with
harmful sexual behaviours, whether they are children or adults, and that there
are proper therapeutic services available for those victims.
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