The Tasmanian Government has today released Change for Children, a 10-year Strategy for upholding the rights of children by preventing, identifying and responding to child sexual abuse.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Government has worked closely with more than 400 contributors, including victim-survivors and their supporters, children and young people, to deliver this evidence-based strategy.
“This 10-year strategy isn’t simply a call for change, it is a plan for change that builds on the reforms already underway,” Premier Rockliff said.
“Change for Children and the first two-year Action Plan are not only about transforming Government institutions and delivering on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, it is about being future-focussed, having clear accountability and transparency measures, and recognising the need for every Tasmanian to play their role in keeping children safe.
“The Strategy will continue to evolve over time, incorporating evidence and feedback from victim survivors, young people and the Tasmanian community.
“Our Government is focussed on delivering the reforms needed to ensure Tasmanian children are listened to, protected and feel safe.
“Change for Children is dedicated to all the victims – those who spoke up, those who haven’t found the words, those who have survived and those who lost their lives.”
The Tasmanian Government has also released the first progress report on the implementation of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings.
The Progress Report outlines the actions underway to implement the phase one recommendations identified for response by July 1.
Actions implemented in phase one include:
- Legislation to establish the independent Child Safety Reform Implementation Monitor;
- Introduction of laws to improve criminal justice processes, strengthen risk assessment processes for Registration to Work with Vulnerable People Checks and provide greater protection and support for complainants in child sexual abuse trials;
- Establishment of the new Safeguarding in Schools Unit within the Department for Education, Children and Young People;
- Enhancements to safeguarding measures by the Department of Health, including new complaints management, a new Child and Young Person’s Advisory Group and a new Support Person Policy; and
- Strengthened cross-agency governance arrangements for child and youth safety and wellbeing to ensure a coordinated approach to the implementation of the Commission’s recommendations.
Premier Rockliff said the actions taken by the Tasmanian Government to date are significant, but they are only the first step in embedding deep and lasting change.
“We have made significant progress on all the phase one recommendations, however, further work is progressing on six complex recommendations to ensure they are implemented in a rigorous way.”
The Government will implement the remaining reforms as quickly as possible.
“I acknowledge and thank the victim-survivors and advocates involved in the Commission of Inquiry for their ongoing advocacy for our children and young people,” Premier Rockliff said.
To view the Change for Children strategy, the first two-year Action Plan, all companion documents and the Progress Report, visit Keeping Children Safe website.
Tasmanians have an additional three months to have their say on the Change for Children strategy via the website.
