A big step in the right direction. Good for you Premier Napthine.
People who fail to report cases of child sex abuse will face jail under new laws being introduced by the Government of the state of Victoria, Australia.
The laws will make it illegal to fail to disclose information about child sex abuse, or to fail to protect a child from abuse.
Both were key recommendations of the Victorian Parliament's inquiry into the handling of child sex abuse complaints by churches and other organisations.
The first law makes it an offence to fail to disclose child sexual abuse, carrying a penalty of three years.
The second offence applies to people in organisations that care for children, who fail to act to reduce the risk of abuse.
That offence carries a penalty of up to five years jail.
Premier Denis Napthine says all adults in Victoria will be legally obliged to report abuse.
"This sends a clear, unambiguous message to the Victorian community," he said.
"If you're aware of child sexual abuse, you must speak up. You must report it to the police.
"The era of cover-up and silence is over. We need to speak up to protect our children."
The parliamentary inquiry heard evidence of priests being moved around after abuse complaints were made to avoid being brought to justice.
Dr Napthine says the new laws are designed to stamp out that practice.
"The despicable actions of the past of moving alleged or known offenders to different positions in organisations will be forbidden," he said.
"That behaviour is totally and utterly despicable and unacceptable and under this legislation it will be a criminal offence."
The laws will not be applied retrospectively and will not apply to priests who hear about abuse in the confession box.
Attorney-General Robert Clark says giving an exemption to evidence heard through confession was supported by the inquiry.
"Their conclusion was that current provisions in the Evidence Act relating to confessionals and privilege were appropriate and should remain and that's what's reflected in the bill," he said.
The laws will also not apply to medical professionals who hear about abuse from a victim.
The changes are in addition to current mandatory reporting laws for teachers and other professionals who deal with children.
The Government has already brought in laws creating a separate criminal offence to groom a child for sex.
The inquiry's report, A Betrayal of Trust, made 15 recommendations after holding a series of public hearings last year.
They included changes to make it easier to access the justice system, and improving organisational responses to abuse.
People who fail to report cases of child sex abuse will face jail under new laws being introduced by the Government of the state of Victoria, Australia.
The laws will make it illegal to fail to disclose information about child sex abuse, or to fail to protect a child from abuse.
Both were key recommendations of the Victorian Parliament's inquiry into the handling of child sex abuse complaints by churches and other organisations.
The first law makes it an offence to fail to disclose child sexual abuse, carrying a penalty of three years.
The second offence applies to people in organisations that care for children, who fail to act to reduce the risk of abuse.
That offence carries a penalty of up to five years jail.
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| Premier Dennis Napthine |
Premier Denis Napthine says all adults in Victoria will be legally obliged to report abuse.
"This sends a clear, unambiguous message to the Victorian community," he said.
"If you're aware of child sexual abuse, you must speak up. You must report it to the police.
"The era of cover-up and silence is over. We need to speak up to protect our children."
The parliamentary inquiry heard evidence of priests being moved around after abuse complaints were made to avoid being brought to justice.
Dr Napthine says the new laws are designed to stamp out that practice.
"The despicable actions of the past of moving alleged or known offenders to different positions in organisations will be forbidden," he said.
"That behaviour is totally and utterly despicable and unacceptable and under this legislation it will be a criminal offence."
The laws will not be applied retrospectively and will not apply to priests who hear about abuse in the confession box.
Attorney-General Robert Clark says giving an exemption to evidence heard through confession was supported by the inquiry.
"Their conclusion was that current provisions in the Evidence Act relating to confessionals and privilege were appropriate and should remain and that's what's reflected in the bill," he said.
The laws will also not apply to medical professionals who hear about abuse from a victim.
The changes are in addition to current mandatory reporting laws for teachers and other professionals who deal with children.
The Government has already brought in laws creating a separate criminal offence to groom a child for sex.
The inquiry's report, A Betrayal of Trust, made 15 recommendations after holding a series of public hearings last year.
They included changes to make it easier to access the justice system, and improving organisational responses to abuse.
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