❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses substantiated allegations of child abuse by foster carers between 1993 and 2004, focusing on the years 2001-2003, instances of sexual abuse, and the status of charges laid.
AnsweredQoN 33Legislative Council
Asked
4 March 2004
Member
QuestionView source ↗
Further to my question regarding child abuse by foster carers, will the minister provide the Parliament with the following information - (1) Of the 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and February 2004, how many occurred in 2001, 2002 and 2003? (2) Were any of these allegations of sexual abuse? (3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(1) Of the 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and February 2004, how many occurred in 2001, 2002 and 2003? (2) Were any of these allegations of sexual abuse? (3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(2) Were any of these allegations of sexual abuse? (3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(1) Of the 80 substantiated allegations of abuse by foster carers between 1993 and February 2004, how many occurred in 2001, 2002 and 2003? (2) Were any of these allegations of sexual abuse? (3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(2) Were any of these allegations of sexual abuse? (3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(3) If so, what were the age and sex of the children and who or what agency reported the allegation? (4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(4) Have any charges been laid in response to any of the allegations? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(1) The figures for the financial years from 2001 to February 2004 are: 2003-04, two substantiated allegations; 2002-03, six substantiated allegations; 2001-02, 10 substantiated allegations; and 2000-01, 10 substantiated allegations. (2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(2) Yes; there was one substantiated allegation of sexual abuse in 2002-03 and two in 2000-01. (3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(3) In 2002-03 the single case involved a female, aged 17 years, self-reported; one case in 2000-01 involved a female aged 16 years, self reported; and the other case in that year involved a female aged 17 years, reported by a parent or guardian. (4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
(4) All three allegations were reported to the police as per departmental practice. The status of these referrals is as follows - 2002-03, no charge laid as police are still attempting to locate the alleged perpetrator; one charge laid in the first matter in 2000-01, which is still before the court; and no charge laid regarding the second allegation as the young person withdrew her statement and police are unable to pursue the matter.
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