BUSY BEES, BALDIVIS — SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
1075. Hon NICK GOIRAN to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Child Protection:
I refer to the article in the Sound
Telegraph titled ''Busy Bees Baldivis facing multiple cases of child
sexual abuse''.
(1) When was this matter first
brought to the attention of the minister?
(2) Is the department investigating
this matter?
(3) Has the minister visited the
childcare centre in question?
(4) Has the minister met with any
of the families of the children?
(5) What support is being offered
to the children who have been sexually abused?
(6) What measures have been put in
place to protect other children from this abuse?
Hon KYLE
McGINN replied:
On behalf of the parliamentary
secretary representing the Minister for Child Protection, I thank the member
for some notice of the question. The following answer has been provided by the
Minister for Child Protection.
(1) On 25 October
2021.
(2) Yes. An
education and care regulatory unit investigation is ongoing.
(3)–(4) No.
(5) The
Department of Communities works with families to assist them to access
appropriate counselling services as and when required. Any child interviewed in
respect of sexual harm whom the Department of Communities deems would benefit
from additional counselling or support is referred to the Parkerville advocate
co-located within the multi-agency investigation and support team.
(6) The approved
provider for the centre has an obligation under the national law for the safety
and wellbeing of children in their care.
Information has been provided to the education and care regulatory unit on
actions that the approved provider
will have taken in response to this matter. As the investigation is ongoing, it
is not appropriate that any further comment be made on the matter.