Recommendations from the Inquiry into the Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities

Background

In 2001 the Premier of Western Australia the Honourable Dr Geoff Gallop announced plans for the Inquiry into the Response by Government Agencies to Complaints of Family Violence and Child Abuse in Aboriginal Communities. With a background of previous reports of abuse within Aboriginal communities, the Inquiry was prompted by the findings of the coronial inquest into the death of 15-year-old Susan Ann Taylor at the Swan Valley Nyoongar Community in Lockridge in 1999. The Coroner’s report had detailed allegations of physical and sexual abuse in the community and raised questions regarding the response of various government departments and other agencies.

Aims of the Inquiry

In 2002, Inquiry members Mrs Sue Gordon (Chairperson) the Hon Kay Hallahan and Mr Darrell Henry were given six months to:

1. Examine the way that government agencies dealt with violence and child sexual abuse at the Swan Valley Nyoongar community.
2. Examine how State Government agencies respond to evidence of family violence and sexual abuse that may be occurring in Aboriginal communities generally.
3. Report with recommendations on practical solutions for addressing incidents of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities, including any necessary legislative and administrative measures.

More specifically, directions were to:

• examine the activities of State Government agencies in addressing complaints and the reporting of sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities;
• identify the barriers and capacity of Government agencies to address the issue of family violence and in particular child sexual abuse in Aboriginal communities;
• comment and make recommendations on the mandatory reporting of sexually transmitted diseases occurring among children and juveniles;
• comment on any limitations of DNA testing in the Aboriginal community; and
• propose support measures for children reporting abuse.

The Inquiry was also to: consider current research into the prevalence, causes and solutions to Aboriginal violence; liaise with the Interdepartmental Committee on Sexual Assault and consult widely including with representatives of Aboriginal communities, youth, health services and related organisations.

The report

The report Putting the picture together: Inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities (view abstract) outlines the framework and procedures used to examine the many factors that underlie family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities. The report details how government agencies have responded to these issues.

The Inquiry focused on what needed to change and considerations for future planning. Generally the Inquiry:

• supported initiatives by the Department of Health (DOH) to build workforce skills, develop new models of services delivery and enhance interagency cooperation;
• identified a need for more sexual assault services and expansion of specialist services dealing with child abuse with increased training and understanding of child abuse and recommended the employment and training of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff;
• supported the Department for Community /Development (DCD) submission to the Inquiry which outlined models for service delivery and the need for adequate resourcing;
• noted and endorsed the work of the Homeless Task Force and made recommendations regarding housing for Aboriginal people;
• noted and endorsed the work of the Western Australia Police Service and recommended more policing services with 40 new Aboriginal Police Liaison Officers;
• endorsed a number of justice programs and made a number of recommendations about: the importance of therapeutic services for adult and juvenile offenders while in custody; the need for better referrals between units of the Department of Justice; the employment and training of staff and volunteers and a shift from incarceration-based interventions to non-custodial options;
• recommended addressing education responses to child abuse including staffing issues and mandatory training for teachers;
• identified a need for the coordination of capacity building within Aboriginal communities; and
• examined issues raised by the Coroner’s inquiry into the death of Susan Taylor.

Summary

The Inquiry concluded that current services are unable to adequately address the escalating rates of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities and articulated a community focused systemic response. The 640 page report documents 197 recommendations and findings and suggests that an Implementation Body be established to oversee and implement the recommendations. It also proposes that independent mechanisms be developed to oversee the systems that respond to family violence and child abuse. It recommends the creation of a Children’s Commissioner, a Deputy Children’s Commissioner (Aboriginal) and a Child’s Death Review Team.

Reference

Gordon S, Hallahan K, Henry D (2002) Putting the picture together, inquiry into response by government agencies to complaints of family violence and child abuse in Aboriginal communities. Perth: Department of Premier and Cabinet

The full report (PDF – 4.5MB -large file warning!) may be downloaded from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet website