❓ A parliamentary question regarding assault injuries in children admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital, and the Department for Child Protection's involvement with those cases. The Minister deflects part of the question and provides limited data on physical abuse allegations.
AnsweredQoN 137Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRINCESS MARGARET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN — ASSAULT INJURIES
I refer to the “WA Childhood Injury Surveillance Bulletin” of October 2007, prepared by Kidsafe WA, which shows that between 2001 and 2007 there were 1 744 presentations to Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for injuries classified as intentional, with 1 100 of those being assault injuries. (1) For the five years from 1 January 2003 to 1 January 2008, how many children were admitted to PMH with assault injuries? (2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY
I refer to the “WA Childhood Injury Surveillance Bulletin” of October 2007, prepared by Kidsafe WA, which shows that between 2001 and 2007 there were 1 744 presentations to Princess Margaret Hospital for Children for injuries classified as intentional, with 1 100 of those being assault injuries. (1) For the five years from 1 January 2003 to 1 January 2008, how many children were admitted to PMH with assault injuries? (2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(1) For the five years from 1 January 2003 to 1 January 2008, how many children were admitted to PMH with assault injuries? (2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(1) For the five years from 1 January 2003 to 1 January 2008, how many children were admitted to PMH with assault injuries? (2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(2) For each of those five years, how many of the children who had been assaulted, or the families who had perpetrated the assault, were known to the Department for Child Protection? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(1) This should be referred to the Minister for Health, who has responsibility for Princess Margaret Hospital. (2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
(2) The Department for Child Protection does not have access to the individual records on the PMH database, so a complete answer to the question cannot be provided. For this response, physical abuse allegations only are provided, and a list of the numbers of such from PMH to the department is given below. Note that these relate to notifications or allegations of abuse and were not necessarily substantiated. The figures will be an underestimate of the total departmental contacts with PMH, as some of the children on the PMH database will have been initially referred from another source and hence will be recorded as having that referral source on the Department for Child Protection database. Cases involving physical assault of a child outside the family are police matters that are not referred to the Department for Child Protection. High numbers in 2006-07 are related to the strengthening of legislation and the introduction of assessments of a concern for a child in March 2006. These numbers in 2006 and 2007 are due to the inclusion of assessments of concern for a child, which include what used to be child concern reports and child maltreatment allegations, and some family support cases. CCRs and family support cases prior to the new legislation are not included, because the primary nature of concern is not recorded for such cases. The numbers are as follows: in 2003, 10 cases; in 2004, 24 cases; in 2005, 21 cases; in 2006, 29 cases; and in 2007, 36 cases.
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