Royal Commission into Child Sex Abuse Targets Employment Loopholes

By Janet Fife-Yeomans
Herald Sun
June 17, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/royal-commission-into-child-sex-abuse-targets-employment-loopholes/story-fnii5s3y-1226664710581

LOOPHOLES in safety checks for people working with children including neighbourhood sporting groups and lifeguards are to be the first target of the royal commission into child sex abuse.

Commission CEO Janette Dines, yesterday said that the commission had decided to make the issue the first topic for public submissions because it had been highlighted as a concern by victims' and survivors' groups.

In most states, individuals need to apply for a Working With Children Check but screening checks vary between states and include a police check, criminal history check, relevant employment proceedings and findings from professional disciplinary bodies. It will be the subject of the commission's first call for public submissions as they continue hearing the stories of victims in private sessions.

In private talks with commissioners so far, they have heard from 56 people in Sydney and are currently in Brisbane where 53 people are to appear in private.

Ms Dines said the sessions had given commissioners an insight into the devastating affects of sexual and physical abuse as well as the courage and resilience of the victims.