*** Warning: This story discusses child sexual assault and may be distressing to some readers.
Victorian Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath's report Support when children are sexually abused at school: The Department of Education's response to abuse in a Victorian primary school was tabled in Parliament today.
The Ombudsman's investigation was sparked by concern about the way the Department of Education responded to two incidents of child sexual abuse at a Victorian primary school.
The investigation identified systemic gaps in the department's policies, procedures and practices in managing child sexual abuse and found significant flaws in the department's response including a failure to quickly contact the families concerned, apologise and adequately support the children and their families.
Ms Baragwanath said the community expects that schools and other public bodies will be at their best when ensuring the safety of children in their care.
"Our investigation found that the department provided inaccurate advice to the school to help it respond effectively and failed to support the children and their families when they most needed help," she said.
Ms Baragwanath said the impacts of sexual abuse are serious and long-lasting, and acknowledged the courage of the children and families who participated in this investigation.
"I hope that, in some small way, our report helps the children, and their families recover from the trauma of these incidents and that our recommended reforms ensure no other child or family has to go through what these families experienced," she said.
The report makes four recommendations to close the systemic gaps identified including:
- better support for child victim-survivors, their families, principals and other affected parties
- more emphasis on a "no wrong door" approach for allegations of child abuse
- greater transparency about sexual misconduct in schools
- better internal coordination within the department.
"There is more the department should do and implementing our recommendations will improve the way it manages child sexual abuse in our schools," Ms Baragwanath said.
"Work is underway to ensure victim-survivors, and their families receive the support they need and are treated as people, not litigants."
The department has now formally apologised to both children. One child's family has received compensation through a civil claims process and the other child's family is currently seeking compensation from the department.
"There are critical lessons in this investigation for everyone that engages with children and families across the Victorian public sector," Ms Baragwanath said.
"Upholding the rights of the child and ensuring effective, victim-centric systems for preventing sexual abuse from occurring - and responding appropriately if it does - must be at the heart of all departmental policies, systems and actions."
Download the report and a compact summary: Support when children are sexually abused at school: The Department of Education's response to abuse in a Victorian primary school
