The Western Australian State Government action plan following the Inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities

The Western Australian State Government has produced an action plan based on recommendations from the Inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities (view further information). The action plan is documented in the report Putting people first: the Western Australian State Government’s action plan for addressing family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities (view abstract). It acknowledges that there has been a systemic problem in dealing with issues of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.

The WA Government has accepted most of the recommendations from the Inquiry and a two phase plan of action has been prioritised to address concerns. The action plan includes strengthening responses to child abuse and family violence and responses to vulnerable children and adults at risk. In addition to strengthening safety within communities, the government also aims to facilitate the strengthening of governance, confidence, economic capacity and sustainability. To enable improvements, initiatives will involve: across-government collaboration and coordination; staff as major agents of change; legislation; improved information sharing; inter-agency protocols; reporting processes and data collection; a child death review process and communications technology. The response also includes specific recommendations for the following agencies: Western Australia Police Service; Department for Community Development; Department of Health; Department of Education; Department of Justice; Department of Housing and Works; and Department of Indigenous Affairs.

The WA Government has committed itself to $75 million worth of new initiatives. These include in the first instance: employment of additional Child Protection Workers and specialist Domestic Violence Police Officers; expansion of the Strong Families case management program and maintenance of the Indigenous Family program; revitalisation of the Child Protection Unit services at Princess Margaret Hospital; expansion of sexual assault services and the relocation of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre.

In 2003-4 the Government will expand on the above initiatives and will also:

• construct and staff multi-functional remote police facilities;
• provide funding for supporting Aboriginal communities to develop and manage locally specific safety strategies;
• provide funding for workers to promote and mediate safety and violence prevention strategies in Aboriginal communities;
• expand community based programs and community supervision agreements to enhance the management of violent offenders;
• provide funding for extending victim support services for adults and children in Aboriginal communities;
• employ additional skilled Aboriginal support workers to provide practical counselling and assistance to vulnerable Aboriginal children and youth;
• provide funding to develop culturally appropriate counselling services for Aboriginal clients and
• provide funding for a Community Partnerships Fund.

Reference

The Western Australian State Government (2002) Putting people first: the Western Australian State Government’s action plan for addressing family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities. Perth: The Western Australian State Government

The full report (PDF – 1.2KB – large file warning!) may be downloaded from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website