Page 3124 - Week 08 - Thursday, 7 August 2008
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However, there are training issues that it is intended to consider in the context of the SARP initiatives.
(13) Members of SACAT, and other members of the Territory Investigations Group receive a week-long training course addressing this issue. The Interviewing of Children and Recording of Evidence (ICARE) course is delivered as part of a three-week training course into the investigation of Sexual Offences. This course is open to all members of ACT Policing but specifically targets members working in SACAT.
Four members of SACAT have also completed a diploma in Advanced Practice in Forensic Interviewing of Children. It is intended that further members of SACAT will receive this training in the future.
One member of SACAT is currently studying to attain a Masters degree in Child Protection Investigation.
Through the SARP, all current training in child interviewing techniques is being reviewed.
(14) The ICARE training program is delivered by members of the Queensland Police Service that hold the diploma of Advanced Practice in Forensic Interviewing of Children. The trainers have extensive experience working in the child protection area of the Queensland Police and are considered to be the leaders in this field.
(15) I refer the member to my media release of 13 November 2007 in which I announced funding for a range of initiatives flowing from the SARP report.
(16) Decisions on the most appropriate balance of training for operational police are properly left to the Chief Police Officer in consultation with appropriate areas of the Australian Federal Police and other policing practitioners.
(17) The ACT Government recognises the importance of criminal trial reform and is in the process of reviewing existing practices, including exploring steps which can be taken toward the modernisation of committal procedures.
(18) See response to (17) above.
(19) To extract this particular subset of data would require manual checking of a large number of records and I am not prepared to authorise the use of the significant resources required for this task.
(20) See response to (2) and (4) above.
(21) Members of SACAT investigate historical cases of sexual assault and child abuse. These investigations are not handled by General Duties members other than the initial response and referral.
SACAT comprises two team leaders (Sergeants), two team members and a Family Services Liaison Officer/Operational Support Sergeant. No additional members have been engaged to specifically handle historical allegations of sexual assault. Members deployed to SACAT undergo specific training in respect to investigating sexual assault reports, this is in addition to their requirements to undertake training as investigators within the AFP
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