We are excited that the outcomes our petition seeks for survivors of child sexual abuse, their families and communities, have the interest and support of politicans across the political spectrum, at a state and federal level too. Rachel Payne MP of the Legalise Cannabis Party, and the member for the Victorian electorate of South-Eastern Metropolitan area of Melbourne (which includes bayside Melbourne), has continued the terrific work of Stuart Grimley in the last Victorian Parliament. Including asking the Victorian Government, and Mary-Anne Thomas MP, the Minister of Health in particular, to pilot the implementation of Recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) in bayside Melbourne and Ballarat.
2 May 2024
"Questions Without Notice
RACHEL PAYNE — To ask the Minister for Mental Health (for the Minister for Health): Substantive question
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?
Supplementary question
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 co-design how already identified solutions for the better provision of appropriately funded and accessible wellbeing, recovery and healing services are implemented?
Answer - 2 May 2024
Substantive question - verbal response
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.
Supplementary question - verbal response
Thank you, Ms Payne. I will also refer your supplementary question to the minister for a written response.
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The President ordered a written response for both questions - due 6 May 2024.
Answer - 10 May 2024
Written response
These services are overseen by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, not the Department of Health.
Date: 9/5/2024"
Contrary to the Victorian government's response, below is a reminder of why the Victorian Minister for Health, is responsible for the implementation of Recommendation 9.1 of the Royal Commission.
"The 2017 Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Report, Recommendation 9.1:
"The Australian Government and state and territory governments should fund dedicated community support services for victims and survivors in each jurisdiction, to provide an integrated model of advocacy and support and counselling to children and adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Funding and related agreements should require and enable these services to:
a. be trauma-informed and have an understanding of institutional child sexual abuse
b. be collaborative, available, accessible, acceptable and high quality
c. use case management and brokerage to coordinate and meet service needs
d. support and supervise peer-led support models.”
We're very grateful that Ms Payne's office is communicating with Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, to challenge this response that the Minister of Health is not responsible for the wellbeing of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is responsible for child protection, prevention of family violence, housing, disability, LGBTIQA+ equality, veterans, and the offices for Women and Youth. It is not responsible for integrated wellbeing services and supports.
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Ms Zoe Daniel MP, federal member for Member for Goldstein, which includes the Beaumaris and bayside area of Melbourne, was all set to attend a Survivors and Supporters lunch in June, which unfortunately had to be rescheduled. We are currently working with her office to reschedule the lunch to work with Ms Daniel's availability to attend.
We will also aim for the date to work for Ms Rachel Payne MP to attend too.
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Given our petition includes asking for a pilot to take place in Ballarat, we have also been communicating with the office the federal MP for Ballarat, Ms Catherine King MP. Ms King's office is also working with us to be able to meet with her too.
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We are hearing the Victorian Premier will make a response to the recommendations of the Beaumaris Board of Inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in Beaumaris Primary School and certain other government schools in June. We are coordinating a LOUD fence at Victoria Parliament to take place after that has occurred, and will keep you updated on the date and time.
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Thank you again to all our supporters. Worthwhile and signficant change takes time, patience and persistence. Knowing how many people support the change we're advocating for, really does help!