BackThe Office of the Ombudsman of Western Australia has commenced a major new function to monitor, oversee and review investigations into allegations of, and convictions for, child abuse.
The Western Australian Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Scheme) commenced on 1 January 2023. The Scheme makes Western Australian children safer. The Scheme compels heads of organisations that exercise care, supervision or authority over children to notify allegations of, or convictions for, child abuse by their employees to the office of the Ombudsman and then investigate these allegations. The office of the Ombudsman will monitor, oversee and review these investigations.
The Scheme will apply to over 4000 public and private organisations. The Scheme implements key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and provides that child abuse in organisations will be notified to an impartial and independent body; investigated fully; and dealt with to ensure children are protected from abuse within institutions.
Chris Field, President of the International Ombudsman Institute and Western Australian Ombudsman said:
"Along with our jurisdictions to investigate child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities, this is a major human rights function and very much in keeping with a modern Ombudsman institution and the United Nations General Assembly resolution on The role of the Ombudsman and mediator institutions in the promotion and protection of human rights, good governance and the rule of law.”
Source: The Office of the Ombudsman of Western Australia
