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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 01 Hansard (Thursday, 12 February 2004) . . Page.. 355 ..

Answers to questions

Child abuse—mandatory reporting
(Question No 1077)

Mr Cornwell asked the Minister for Education, Youth and Family Services, upon notice, on 18 November 2003:

In relation to a recently shown Stateline program about a child (who subsequently dies) presenting with bruising and other indications of hurt:

(1) How many mandated people, by profession, saw or examined and did not report her condition under mandatory reporting laws;

(2) How many mandated family services officers saw or examined and did not report her condition under mandatory reporting laws;

(3) What action is being taken against any mandated person or people at (1) and (2) above for failing in this case to report under mandatory reporting laws.

Ms Gallagher: The answer to Mr Cornwell’s question is:

(1) The Coroner did not specifically identify those mandated persons whom she considered should have reported. In the Coroner’s report she stated “some 8 persons who were mandated to report failed to do so”.

(2) Family Services officers did not see or examine the child prior to her discharge from hospital. Prior to her death, Family Services attempted to visit her home but did not see her.

(3) Any action would require evidence that the persons formed a reasonable suspicion the child had suffered a non-accidental injury and having formed that view did not report. The Director of Family Services has written to those staff involved to clarify their obligations under the Children and Young People Act 1999 in relation to reporting non accidental physical injury and sexual abuse.

Police force—computer-aided dispatch
(Question No 1082)

Mr Pratt asked the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, upon notice, on 19 November 2003

In relation to the priority response model:

(1) When calls are logged at the ACT Policing call centre, how many staff are employed to determine the priority category of incident types;

(2) Are these staff sworn police officers;

(3) If yes, what is the minimum years they have to be sworn and have had experience as a police officer to determine such priority categories;

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