❓ A Western Australian parliamentary question seeks information on the Education Department's protocols for handling sexual abuse allegations against teachers, including historical data and current practices. The response provides details on procedures, record-keeping, and teacher management in such cases.
AnsweredQoN 1575Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) What written protocols exist in the Western Australian Education Department for receiving and processing allegations of sexual abuse against teachers in government schools?
(2) When were these protocols -
(a) established; and
(b) updated?
(3) How many allegations of student sex abuse/molestation have been made in each of the past 25 years?
(4) Have each of these been referred in all cases to the police?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If no records or written protocols exist prior to 25 years ago, what methodology was used to deal with such allegations prior to 1977?
(7) Are teachers against whom allegations are made -
(a) immediately stood down with pay;
(b) immediately stood down without pay; or
(c) dealt with in some other way?
(8) What numbers of teachers have been permitted to resign from the service in the face of unresolved sex-abuse allegations in each of the past 25 years?
(9) Has any teacher against whom such allegations have been made and left unresolved been permitted to return to the classroom?
(10) If so, under what circumstances?
(11) Who administers the protocols referred to in (1) and (2)?
(2) When were these protocols -
(a) established; and
(b) updated?
(3) How many allegations of student sex abuse/molestation have been made in each of the past 25 years?
(4) Have each of these been referred in all cases to the police?
(5) If no to (4), why not?
(6) If no records or written protocols exist prior to 25 years ago, what methodology was used to deal with such allegations prior to 1977?
(7) Are teachers against whom allegations are made -
(a) immediately stood down with pay;
(b) immediately stood down without pay; or
(c) dealt with in some other way?
(8) What numbers of teachers have been permitted to resign from the service in the face of unresolved sex-abuse allegations in each of the past 25 years?
(9) Has any teacher against whom such allegations have been made and left unresolved been permitted to return to the classroom?
(10) If so, under what circumstances?
(11) Who administers the protocols referred to in (1) and (2)?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2002
Responded by
Minister for Education
Response time
98 days
(b) updated?
(b) immediately stood down without pay; or (c) dealt with in some other way?
(c) dealt with in some other way?
(b) As above.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Matters of this nature, once having been brought to the attention of the employer, would have been dealt with under the provisions of section 7C of the now repealed Education Act 1928. (7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(6) Matters of this nature, once having been brought to the attention of the employer, would have been dealt with under the provisions of section 7C of the now repealed Education Act 1928. (7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(b) immediately stood down without pay; or (c) dealt with in some other way?
(c) dealt with in some other way?
(b) As above.
(5) Not applicable. (6) Matters of this nature, once having been brought to the attention of the employer, would have been dealt with under the provisions of section 7C of the now repealed Education Act 1928. (7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(6) Matters of this nature, once having been brought to the attention of the employer, would have been dealt with under the provisions of section 7C of the now repealed Education Act 1928. (7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(7) (a) - (c) Previously, where a sufficient body of prima facie evidence was available to warrant a discipline investigation, it was possible for a teacher to be 'stood down' with or without pay. Currently, the practice of the Department is to relieve the teacher from their usual duties and direct that they report to a District Education Office or undertake some form of non operational function. In remote areas, some staff have been directed to remain at home. Until an investigation and or the legal processes are concluded, the employee remains on full pay. (8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(8) The Department is not able to refuse a teacher's resignation. The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
The Department has records of four (4) teachers who resigned prior to allegations of sexual abuse being resolved by the Police Services. These teachers are denoted Category 2 under the MCEETYA Agreement for the confidential exchange of information on sexual abuse between the States. (9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(9) The Department is not aware of any teachers who have been able to return to the classroom where allegations of sexual abuse have not been resolved. All applicants to the Department must supply a Federal Police Clearance and complete a National Check of Employment. (10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(10) Not applicable (11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
(11) In a school environment the school's administration team, in consultation with the District Education Office, is responsible for the administration of the protocols referred to in questions 1 and 2 above.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.