Child Protection

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Education and Child Development a question relating to sexual abuse by children in schools.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: The ABC recently reported a disturbing trend amongst schoolchildren that members will have no doubt seen. Under FOI provisions, the ABC obtained data showing that education departments around Australia had received at least 940 reports of serious sexual assaults amongst children in the year 2013. Nine incidents from South Australia were reported with children engaging in 'sexualised language, innuendo, and inappropriate touching', one child reported to be 'grooming' another child, while another detailed how one child was blackmailed over sexual incidents. South Australia has the fourth highest child-on-child sex abuse allegations, which puts it roughly in the middle of the pack, obviously. What is disturbing is that criminologist Dr Wendy O'Brien shared her belief that we have a problem now—and this is a national problem, not just isolated to our state—in how we collect the data, so it is likely that the number of offences is actually much higher than reported.

Dr O'Brien also indicated that there is a culture of denial and non-disclosure within Australia, and this certainly appeared to be the case for a mother from New South Wales, who raised the issue of sexual assault with her son's principal. Despite significant allegations of sexually inappropriate behaviour in that case, the behaviour was dismissed as being within the realms of 'normal behaviour'. My questions are:

1. Will the minister outline the policies in place for recording incidents of sexual abuse and how that data is collected here in South Australia?

2. What training is given to teachers, caregivers and other employees at schools in relation to reporting these inappropriate incidents?

3. What policies are in place for the prevention of sexual abuse of children within our schools, and what can be done about it?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question on a very concerning topic, but I do point out that the Minister for Education and Child Development in this state is not responsible for issues that are occurring in other jurisdictions. However, I am quite sure she will take the issues of the policies of the department and the training provided to staff on notice, and bring back a response for the honourable member in due course.