Victoria is working to keep more children safe with a new Reportable Conduct Scheme introduced to Parliament today.
The scheme will require certain organisations providing services to children to report centrally on any abuse allegations, ensuring individuals who pose a risk to children can be excluded from working with children, even if they don’t have a criminal record.
The Commission for Children and Young People will oversee the scheme and monitor how organisations are responding to allegations of child abuse and misconduct.
The Commission will then report back to the Government and share information with the Working with Children Check Unit to improve child safety.
New South Wales has had a reportable conduct scheme in operation for 16 years. We’ve carefully considered the experience in other jurisdictions in developing a reportable conduct scheme to complement Victoria’s existing child safety measures.
The Government is driving cultural change and is working to keep children safe from harm. This is just one of several measures in response to the Betrayal of Trust Inquiry to help organisations build a safer environment for all children.
The scheme also complements other measures like the Child Safe Standards introduced earlier this year, designed to make protecting children from abuse a part of everyday thinking and practice for those who work with them.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children Jenny Mikakos
“Child safety is everyone’s responsibility. A reportable conduct scheme is the next vital step in keeping Victorian children safe and improving organisations’ responses to allegations of child abuse and misconduct.”
“This scheme also prevents workers and volunteers who have committed reportable conduct from working in other organisations responsible for children.”
Quotes attributable to Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan
“Thanks to recent inquiries and the advocacy of many survivors, we now know more than ever about the extent of harm done to children in organisational settings."
“Together with the Child Safe Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme will help make sure Victorian organisations have the right culture, policies and processes in place to keep children safe from abuse.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020