❓ The WA government implemented a mandatory reporting protocol for STIs in children following recommendations from the Gordon Inquiry, prompted by the tragic death of Susan Taylor. The Minister acknowledges the concerning figures of STIs in children, particularly those under five, as evidence of abuse.
AnsweredQoN 375Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Last year 300 children were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections. What steps is the Government taking to ensure that what amounts to child abuse is prevented? Mr J.A. McGINTY
AnswerView source ↗
The figures that relate to sexually transmissible infections in children in this State are of great concern. Last year, more than 70 children under 14 years of age were among the 282 children found to have STIs. Unfortunately, and tragically, three of those children were under the age of five years. This is evidence of abuse of those children. Members will recall that in the aftermath of the tragic death of 15-year-old Susan Taylor in 1999, the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities recommended to the Government that all STIs in children be reported to the police. That was one of the key recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to advise the House that, in response to those matters, a new protocol is now in effect in Western Australia that requires the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted infections in children. This protocol is based on the advice of experts in the field. For members’ information, I will table a copy of that protocol. [See paper No 2473.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: The figures that relate to sexually transmissible infections in children in this State are of great concern. Last year, more than 70 children under 14 years of age were among the 282 children found to have STIs. Unfortunately, and tragically, three of those children were under the age of five years. This is evidence of abuse of those children. Members will recall that in the aftermath of the tragic death of 15-year-old Susan Taylor in 1999, the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities recommended to the Government that all STIs in children be reported to the police. That was one of the key recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to advise the House that, in response to those matters, a new protocol is now in effect in Western Australia that requires the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted infections in children. This protocol is based on the advice of experts in the field. For members’ information, I will table a copy of that protocol. [See paper No 2473.]
The figures that relate to sexually transmissible infections in children in this State are of great concern. Last year, more than 70 children under 14 years of age were among the 282 children found to have STIs. Unfortunately, and tragically, three of those children were under the age of five years. This is evidence of abuse of those children. Members will recall that in the aftermath of the tragic death of 15-year-old Susan Taylor in 1999, the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities recommended to the Government that all STIs in children be reported to the police. That was one of the key recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to advise the House that, in response to those matters, a new protocol is now in effect in Western Australia that requires the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted infections in children. This protocol is based on the advice of experts in the field. For members’ information, I will table a copy of that protocol. [See paper No 2473.]
[See paper No 2473.]
Mr J.A. McGINTY replied: The figures that relate to sexually transmissible infections in children in this State are of great concern. Last year, more than 70 children under 14 years of age were among the 282 children found to have STIs. Unfortunately, and tragically, three of those children were under the age of five years. This is evidence of abuse of those children. Members will recall that in the aftermath of the tragic death of 15-year-old Susan Taylor in 1999, the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities recommended to the Government that all STIs in children be reported to the police. That was one of the key recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to advise the House that, in response to those matters, a new protocol is now in effect in Western Australia that requires the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted infections in children. This protocol is based on the advice of experts in the field. For members’ information, I will table a copy of that protocol. [See paper No 2473.]
The figures that relate to sexually transmissible infections in children in this State are of great concern. Last year, more than 70 children under 14 years of age were among the 282 children found to have STIs. Unfortunately, and tragically, three of those children were under the age of five years. This is evidence of abuse of those children. Members will recall that in the aftermath of the tragic death of 15-year-old Susan Taylor in 1999, the Inquiry into Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities recommended to the Government that all STIs in children be reported to the police. That was one of the key recommendations of the Gordon inquiry. I am pleased to advise the House that, in response to those matters, a new protocol is now in effect in Western Australia that requires the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted infections in children. This protocol is based on the advice of experts in the field. For members’ information, I will table a copy of that protocol. [See paper No 2473.]
[See paper No 2473.]
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