Issues Paper on the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Schools

Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
July 31, 2015

http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/2015-07/issues-paper-on-the-risk-of-child-sexual-abuse-in

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse today released an issues paper on addressing the risk of child sexual abuse in primary and secondary schools.

Royal Commission CEO Philip Reed said that around 30 percent of people who have spoken to the Royal Commission were sexually abused as children in a school. “Non-government schools in particular account for a disproportionately high number of reports made to the Royal Commission. Of the Royal Commission’s 29 public hearings held to date, eight have focused on abuse in schools.

“The Royal Commission’s terms of reference require it to consider ways to ensure that institutions like schools, have effective mechanisms in place and are subject to suitable external scrutiny to respond to child sexual abuse.

“The Royal Commission is seeking submissions on a number of issues about child protection in Australian schools including governance and leadership, effectiveness of teacher training, efficacy of policies and how staff and parents are informed about policies and the need for regulatory frameworks to better protect children and young people.

“The Royal Commission is seeking submissions from interested individuals, schools, government and non government organisations on the matters raised in Issues Paper 9.

“We particularly welcome submissions from advocacy groups, teachers, parents and students with a direct experience of child sexual abuse in schools,” Mr Reed said.

Organisations and individuals wishing to respond to Issues Paper 9 have until Monday 31 August 2015 to lodge a submission by emailing schoolspolicy@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au

For more information on Issues Paper 9 or to lodge a submission visit Issues Papers and Submissions.

Media enquiries: (02) 8282 3966 or media@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au