TasCOSS is a key partner for the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government’s Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings Reform Implementation Project.
The intended purpose of TasCOSS’s involvement in the Commission of Inquiry Reform Implementation Project includes the following:
- Fostering culture and system change across institutions, organisations, community and society;
- Enhanced engagement between government and the community services industry to inform the Child Sexual Abuse Reform Strategy and Action Plan, and respond to the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry;
- Increased opportunities for ongoing education, engagement and systems and culture change across the community services industry;
- Working collaboratively with government and community to advance the rights, safety and wellbeing of Tasmanian children, young people and adults in vulnerable situations.
As part of our work as a project partner, we have been asked to consider how the Tasmanian Government can improve its engagement with non-government organisations (including the community services industry and the community more broadly) to enhance its consultation on reform opportunities relating to the Commission of Inquiry recommendations and child sexual abuse.
TasCOSS is proposing a series of recommendations to the Government on how they can improve consultation with community members and organisations on legislative and policy reform relating to child sexual abuse and the recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry.
Our hope is that this work on the implementation project may also provide a framework or example of how the Government can improve its consultation framework generally. Our recommendations will include input from community organisations and stakeholders, as well as consideration of our own internal policies and frameworks relating to engagement.
TasCOSS Industry Response Project Information Session: Alternative Consultation Models
On Thursday 28 March 2024, TasCOSS held an online information session to discuss the consultation principles we believe the Government should adopt, our core recommendations, and some alternative models we would like organisations to consider as potential engagement models moving forward.
If you missed the information session, you can watch the YouTube recording and download the PowerPoint slides (PDF, 2.74MB).
Industry Response Project Team
TasCOSS supports the full implementation of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry and the introduction of an independent Reform Implementation Monitor. However, we are concerned some elements of the Draft Bill may impact the ability of the Reform Implementation Monitor to exercise its functions in a way which promotes three key objectives and powers, namely scope, information gathering, and entry and inspection.
Alongside our recommendations, we also note the importance of community education and awareness-raising for the effective functioning of the Reform Implementation Monitor. One way to promote public engagement with this work is the development and maintenance of a centralised online portal where community organisations and individuals can access up-to-date information about the implementation and reform process. Download TasCOSS’s submission (PDF, 533KB) or (Word, 790KB).
As part of the Commission of Inquiry Reform Implementation Project, the Tasmanian Government is exploring current attitudes and beliefs of the Tasmanian community in relation to child safety and how to keep children safe. As part of this work, a survey has been developed to help capture these attitudes and beliefs, as well as identifying how we can be better supported to prevent, identify and respond to child sexual abuse.
Change for Children is Tasmania’s ten-year strategy for upholding the rights of children by preventing, identifying and responding to child sexual abuse.
Change for Children and the first two year action plan, Collaborating for Change, is not only about transforming Tasmanian Government institutions and delivering on the recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry, it is about being future focussed, having clear accountability and transparency, and recognising we need every Tasmanian to play their role in keeping children safe. Find out more about the Change for Children Strategy and Action Plan.
The Tasmanian Government are working with the community services industry to get a better understanding of how people who work in the industry perceive their role — whether you interact directly or indirectly with children. It is important to gain a greater understanding of what might help you and what barriers you might face to tailor resources, training and support.
3P Advisory are conducting a survey of organisations and staff across the community services industry to get a baseline picture of what the current level of knowledge and understanding is. Your responses will provide the information required to enable a baseline mapping of the current system and identification of areas that can become a resource development focus.
The survey is available here or can be accessed via scanning the QR code below.
We really appreciate your knowledge and experience, and your input should take approximately 10-15 minutes. All responses are confidential and will not identify the respondent in any way.
The survey will remain open until 5pm, Friday 9 August 2024. Please feel free to get in touch with any issues, questions or concerns.
