Thursday 2 May 2024 Legislative Council. Child sexual abuse.
"Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:24): (514) My question is for the Minister for Health, Minister Thomas in the other place. Recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse acknowledged the need for integrated services for children and adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse in institutional contexts. In the last Parliament a petition was tabled calling for evidence-based services for child sexual abuse survivors.
It noted that the organisations cited in the government’s response to the work that they have done on this recommendation do not even offer these services.
So my question is: will the minister commit to working with their federal counterparts to action piloting accessible and integrated service systems in Ballarat and the bayside communities of Melbourne consistent with the petition and the royal commission?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:25): Thank you, Ms Payne, for that question, and I will refer it to the Minister for Health for a written response in accordance with the standing orders.
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:25): Thank you, Minister, for the referral.
By way of supplementary, we know that lived experience in policy design and implementation is not only important but essential to achieving better outcomes. Lived experience informed recommendation 9.1 of the royal commission and the existing national minimum practice standards.
Will the minister commit to meeting with this community group of survivors, family members and supporters to codesign how already identified solutions for the better provision of appropriately funded and accessible wellbeing, recovery and healing services are implemented?
Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (12:26): Thank you, Ms Payne. I will also refer your supplementary question to the minister for a written response."
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We are so grateful that Ms Rachel Payne MP has raised these important questions in Victorian Parliament. Especially given the real risk the Victorian government may choose to act on Recommendation 8 of the Beaumaris Board of Inquiry Report (below), ignoring the plethora of existing extensive and recent recommendations. Further delaying survivors, families and communities, being connected with much needed services and supports.
"Recommendation 8: A targeted program of work to improve service responses
The Board of Inquiry recommends the Victorian Government design and implement a targeted program of work to improve service responses to adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse. This includes:
• in consultation with victim-survivors, designing, developing and implementing a formal peer support program for adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse
• in consultation with sexual assault support services and Sexual Assault Services Victoria, develop a consistent approach to how adult victim-survivors of child sexual abuse may access sexual assault support services in a timely way
• reviewing and updating public-facing information of sexual assault support services to grow awareness that services are available for and responsive to people of all genders"
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How many recommendations based on extensive engagement with people with lived experience, and service providers, does the Victorian government need before it acts?
We welcome Ms Payne's call for the minister commit to meet with our community group of survivors, family members and supporters (Ballarat and Bayside Melbourne) regions) to codesign how already identified solutions for the better provision of appropriately funded and accessible wellbeing, recovery and healing services are implemented.
We will let you know if any response is received.
Thank you for your ongoing support!