Encompass Issue 52 – May 2013 - Kawana Scouts

SCOUTS AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS THE ROYALCOMMISSIONScouts Australia welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement ofthe Royal Commission’s terms of reference and the appointment ofsix highly regarded Australians as Commissioners.The six Commissioners provide the necessary diversity ofexperience to deliver a meaningful and thorough approach toachieving the Royal Commission Instuonal Responses to ChildSexual Abuse’s objecve - to effect naonal changes to the systemswhich protect children.Scouts Australia has zero-tolerance for abuse of any kind, and wewill work closely with the Commission to share all records andinformaon in order to achieve this crucial objecve.Scouts Australia has established the Royal Commission AdvisoryCommiee, led by Chief Commissioner Reg Williams, that includesrepresentaves from Scouts’ youth, state and territory leadership.The Advisory Commiee will coordinate Scouts Australia’sparcipaon in the Royal Commission across the enreorganisaon, and will provide all necessary support to thecommunity.The Advisory Commiee is supported by a volunteer legal advisorypanel which includes, former NSW Supreme Court Judge and NSWMental Health Review Tribunal President, The Hon. Greg James AMQC, Mr John De Wijn QC, and Mr Craig Ray. Mr James will leadScouts Australia’s preparaon and representaon to the RoyalCommission.childrensensivelyabout theseissues. Ideasto improvesafety forchildren are always welcome and Scouts looks forward to assisngthe Commission.Scouts is grateful to the many thousands of Leaders, parents,volunteers and supporters of Australian Scoung who workrelessly to mentor and to enrich the lives of so many children inthe community through our personal development and educaonalprograms and acvies, whilst also ensuring their safety andprotecon.For counselling support please contact Lifeline 131114 – 24 hourhelpline service.Scouts Australia welcomes any member of the community providinginformaon regarding any child protecon maer – please callScouts Naonal Office on 02 9413 1133.Further updates and informaon on the Royal Commission can befound on the Naonal Scout website www.scouts.com.au/royalcommission and at the Australian Government RoyalCommission site at www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au.Scouts has had a policy and pracce to report allegaons of childabuse to Police, and has made records and files freely available tothe Police and other child protecon authories.Scouts conducts compulsory Child Protecon Police Checks in everyState and Territory, has compulsory leader training for all adultsupervisors on the child protecon policies and procedures andreinforces procedures for how Scouts responds to child proteconallegaons.Scouts hopes that the Commission’s scruny of current communityorganisaons’ policies and pracces will lead to more rigorous andstringent processes for groups to report suspected child abusersacross the enre community.A serious and deep aenon to reporng in every organisaonshould help to create greater confidence to report sexual abusemaers.Scouts believes that during the past 20 years it has become easierto encourage reports and to take acon against suspected childoffenders. However, there is sll a long way to go, especially to gainthe confidence of vicms that they will remain safe and be takenseriously by the Australian community and authories.Scouts has developed robust and vigilant child protecon policies inall States and Territories working with the full range of ChildProtecon Agencies. There are mandatory Police checks for all adultvolunteer Leaders and compulsory training to maximise child safety.Scouts is a family based organisaon and we strongly encourage asmany parents as possible to be acvely involved in all our programs.We urge all parents to familiarise themselves with the childprotecon policies in their community organisaons and to talk to28