House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-09-25 Daily Xml

Contents

CHILD PROTECTION

Mr MARSHALL (Norwood—Leader of the Opposition) (14:37): My question is to the Minister for Police. Is the minister aware that SAPOL officers investigating the alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl advised parents that they needed to lodge a complaint with the education department to investigate the failure of a teacher to fulfil mandatory reporting obligations?

The Hon. M.F. O'BRIEN (Napier—Minister for Finance, Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety) (14:37): I am aware that a meeting occurred between members of Sturt CIB and the parents on 13 June, at which an explanation was given as to the processes involved in the investigation, because the parents were concerned that the process had taken a little too long. I will give a bit of a summary as to the course of events.

The daughter reported the alleged sexual offence on 13 March. Evidence was taken on 28 March by Sturt CIB. Clarification was sought on 21 May, an arrest was made on 29 May and bail with conditions was set. On 13 June, as I said, Sturt CIB met with the parents to explain the process involved in the investigation and, in doing that, to proffer an explanation as to why it had taken as long as it had.