Hon Barbara Scott asks about the timeline, scope, and cost of legislation and training for mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse. Hon Sue Ellery responds with anticipated timelines and processes, noting that training details and costs are still under consideration.

AnsweredQoN 249Legislative Council
Asked
3 May 2007
Portfolio
Child Protection

QuestionView source ↗

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE - MANDATORY REPORTING
(1) When does the minister anticipate that legislation to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be presented to the Parliament? (2) Does the minister anticipate a widening of the legislation to include neglect and physical and psychological abuse of children? (3) What is the anticipated time frame for the training of the professionals, and will this training be phased in; that is, one professional followed by another? (4) What is the anticipated cost of training the professionals? Hon SUE ELLERY

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(2) Does the minister anticipate a widening of the legislation to include neglect and physical and psychological abuse of children? (3) What is the anticipated time frame for the training of the professionals, and will this training be phased in; that is, one professional followed by another? (4) What is the anticipated cost of training the professionals? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(3) What is the anticipated time frame for the training of the professionals, and will this training be phased in; that is, one professional followed by another? (4) What is the anticipated cost of training the professionals? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(4) What is the anticipated cost of training the professionals? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(1) The government anticipates that legislation for the mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse will be introduced into Parliament in the second half of this calendar year. (2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(2) The government has decided to legislate mandatory reporting of sexual abuse. The government will review the legislation and assess evidence to determine whether it needs to be expanded. (3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.
(3)-(4) The time frame, the process and the cost of the training are being considered now. A thorough and strong educative process will be undertaken before the legislation comes into effect so that those professionals who will be required to report child sexual abuse understand the signs, the evidence and their responsibilities. The training program will be developed by an interagency working group, which will advise the government of the funding requirements.

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