Below can be attributed to Act for Kids CEO Dr Katrina Lines:
The establishment of a new Queensland Child Protection Commission and a dedicated intelligence hub is an important leap forward in strengthening child protection in this state.
Act for Kids believes these measures will help keep more children safe and we applaud the State Government for committing to these recommendations in response to the Child Death Review Board’s In Plain Sight Review into System Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
We welcome the opportunity to continue working with the State Government to provide our expertise and research to support the creation of the Queensland Child Protection Commission – which will unite crucial safeguarding functions currently operating across government, including the Reportable Conduct Scheme, Child Safe Standards and Working with Children Checks.
Act for Kids also recognises there is more work ahead to protect children.
Working with Children Check requirements across Australia are still inconsistent in each jurisdiction and without clear alignment between states and territories, individuals who seek to harm children can exploit gaps in the system.
Act for Kids also advocates for more investment in protective behaviours education to help prevent harm to children.
There is no single solution to preventing child sexual abuse; we must look beyond systems and policies to include essential preventative education for children, caregivers and educators.
To learn the signs of abuse, visit here.
Read the full In Plain Sight Review into System Responses to Child Sexual Abuse here.
Please report any concerns you may have about a child – no matter how trivial or small it may seem to the relevant child protection authority.
In an emergency call 000.
-ENDS-