Just for the children Childrens Resource Library Other Documents - Child Specific "Failure to Disclose" offence
An offence for failure to disclose child sexual abuse came into force on 27 October 2014. This offence has been introduced as part of the Crimes Amendment (Protection of Children) Act 2014, in response to a recommendation from the report of the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, Betrayal of Trust.
The new offence requires that any adult (aged 18 and over) who holds a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria by an adult against a child (aged under 16) disclose that information to police (unless they have a reasonable excuse).
The Fact sheet is intended to clarify reporting obligations for Department of Human Services (DHS) staff and funded organisations. It should be read together with the general information fact sheet on the new ‘failure to disclose’ offence also available on the Department of Justice website.
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Sector Highlights
CHP's reaction to the Federal Budget
Council to Homeless Persons (CHP) reaction to the Federal Budget
On Tuesday night the Treasurer handed down the much anticipated Federal Budget 2017-18.
As a sector, we are celebrating the Federal Government having maintained the existing levels of homelessness funding, and the increased certainty of that funding, but have expressed concern that the additional investment needed to cope with the demand crisis was missing.
Watch this video of Jenny Smith giving a Budget reaction on behalf of Homelessness Australia, and read the Homelessness Australia media release, and read on for deeper analysis of Budget papers.