❓ Question regarding victim assistance in Kimberley sex-abuse prosecutions, focusing on culturally appropriate support and funding. The Minister outlines existing arrangements and funding allocation.
AnsweredQoN 23Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SEX-ABUSE PROSECUTIONS — VICTIM ASSISTANCE 23. Hon GIZ WATSON to the Minister for Child Protection: I refer to the current sex-abuse prosecutions in the Kimberley region, and ask — (1) What arrangements exist to ensure that the victims are provided with — (a) victim support services in a culturally appropriate manner; (b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation? (2) How much funding has been allocated for each of these services? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
SEX-ABUSE PROSECUTIONS — VICTIM ASSISTANCE
I refer to the current sex-abuse prosecutions in the Kimberley region, and ask — (1) What arrangements exist to ensure that the victims are provided with — (a) victim support services in a culturally appropriate manner; (b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation? (2) How much funding has been allocated for each of these services? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(1) What arrangements exist to ensure that the victims are provided with — (a) victim support services in a culturally appropriate manner; (b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation? (2) How much funding has been allocated for each of these services? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation?
(c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance.
(c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance.
SEX-ABUSE PROSECUTIONS — VICTIM ASSISTANCE
I refer to the current sex-abuse prosecutions in the Kimberley region, and ask — (1) What arrangements exist to ensure that the victims are provided with — (a) victim support services in a culturally appropriate manner; (b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation? (2) How much funding has been allocated for each of these services? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(1) What arrangements exist to ensure that the victims are provided with — (a) victim support services in a culturally appropriate manner; (b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation? (2) How much funding has been allocated for each of these services? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(b) child witness services in a culturally appropriate manner; and (c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation?
(c) culturally appropriate legal assistance to apply for criminal injuries compensation?
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. (1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(1) Regular visits are made to remote Aboriginal communities and — (a) culturally appropriate written material has been developed and a video, explaining the role of a witness in court and the support services available to Aboriginal people, has also been distributed widely. A senior Aboriginal services officer based in Perth is also available to provide consultation and advice to all regional workers on the delivery of support services to Aboriginal victims and child witnesses; (b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance. (2) In 2007-08 the funding allocated for the delivery of these contracts in the Kimberley region totals $267 890. Last week, in my capacity as Minister for Child Protection, I met with the Chief Justice and the Director General of the Department for Child Protection to discuss how we might also assist the courts.
(b) all child witnesses are individually assessed and arrangements are tailored to meet their specific needs. These arrangements include explaining the court process, preparing child witnesses to give their evidence, and identifying an appropriate support person. Workers also liaise with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to ensure that appropriate travel and accommodation arrangements are made for child witnesses and their support person; and (c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance.
(c) Victim Support and Child Witness Service officers provide general information about victims’ entitlements to apply for criminal injuries compensation, and refer victims to the Aboriginal Legal Service or other legal service providers for further assistance.
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