CHILD PROTECTION

6 The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (31 May 2007).

1. Is the Minister for Families and Communities familiar with the program 'Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism', an ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes) project funded by UNICEF and supported by the World Tourism Organisation?

2. Will the Minister compel other ministers to implement the principles of the Code?

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): The Minister for Families and Communities has provided the following information:

1. The Minister for Families and Communities is familiar with the program, the 'Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism' ('the Code'). The Code aims to prevent sexual exploitation of children at tourism destinations.

2. Principles consistent with the code have been implemented under the amendments to Section 8C of the Children’s Protection Act 1993. This requires government and non-government to establish policies and procedures that promote child safe environments. The Department for Families and Communities (DFC) is currently assisting agencies in this regard.

The policies and procedures must include:

appropriate standards of conduct for adults in dealing with children; and

appropriate standards of care for ensuring the safety of children; as defined by the chief executive, DFC.

Under Section 8A of the act, the chief executive, DFC is also obligated to develop codes of conduct and principles of good practice for working with children. Codes of conduct specify guidelines for appropriate and expected practices and behaviours when dealing with children in the organisation’s care. Organisations are required to develop and implement codes of conduct that set out professional boundaries, ethical behaviour and unacceptable behaviour. The support and guidance provided by DFC to South Australian organisations will be in line with the principles set out in the 'Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism'.