❓ Question regarding mandatory reporting protocols for child sexual abuse, specifically why reporting is tied to STDs. The Minister's response emphasizes the expectation of reporting all crimes, particularly child rape, and justifies the STD-linked reporting based on the Gordon report.
AnsweredQoN 385Legislative Assembly
Asked
24 June 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women’s
Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
In view of the Government’s decision to provide mandatory reporting protocols for some professionals to report cases of sexual abuse against children only if the victims have contracted a sexually transmitted disease, can the minister explain to this House why a five-year-old rape victim should not be subject to the same mandatory reporting to the police and to the minister’s department even though the victim has not contracted a sexually transmitted disease? Ms S.M. McHALE
AnswerView source ↗
I would expect the rape of a five-year-old to be reported to the police. It is a crime. If anyone knows about a crime, I would expect that person to report it to the police. Let there be absolutely no doubt about that. I make the point again that sexually transmitted diseases are a clear clinical indicator of sexual activity and sexual abuse. It was a recommendation in the Gordon report. We have committed to following up on the Gordon report recommendations. This Government has delivered on a very serious report of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, and we stand on our record.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I would expect the rape of a five-year-old to be reported to the police. It is a crime. If anyone knows about a crime, I would expect that person to report it to the police. Let there be absolutely no doubt about that. I make the point again that sexually transmitted diseases are a clear clinical indicator of sexual activity and sexual abuse. It was a recommendation in the Gordon report. We have committed to following up on the Gordon report recommendations. This Government has delivered on a very serious report of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, and we stand on our record.
I would expect the rape of a five-year-old to be reported to the police. It is a crime. If anyone knows about a crime, I would expect that person to report it to the police. Let there be absolutely no doubt about that. I make the point again that sexually transmitted diseases are a clear clinical indicator of sexual activity and sexual abuse. It was a recommendation in the Gordon report. We have committed to following up on the Gordon report recommendations. This Government has delivered on a very serious report of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, and we stand on our record.
Ms S.M. McHALE replied: I would expect the rape of a five-year-old to be reported to the police. It is a crime. If anyone knows about a crime, I would expect that person to report it to the police. Let there be absolutely no doubt about that. I make the point again that sexually transmitted diseases are a clear clinical indicator of sexual activity and sexual abuse. It was a recommendation in the Gordon report. We have committed to following up on the Gordon report recommendations. This Government has delivered on a very serious report of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, and we stand on our record.
I would expect the rape of a five-year-old to be reported to the police. It is a crime. If anyone knows about a crime, I would expect that person to report it to the police. Let there be absolutely no doubt about that. I make the point again that sexually transmitted diseases are a clear clinical indicator of sexual activity and sexual abuse. It was a recommendation in the Gordon report. We have committed to following up on the Gordon report recommendations. This Government has delivered on a very serious report of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, and we stand on our record.
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