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This new year sees Victorian legislation to help protect children from abuse have come into force.

The aim of the newly implemented legislation is focused on all organisations ensuring that under the law, they have a code of conduct in place and staff are correctly screened and trained to deal with children.

Organisations will need to ensure a code of conduct is in place and staff are properly screened and trained to deal with children.

The initial application of the rule will be applied to all government funded or government regulated organsiations, such as hospitals, child and family-welfare organisations, schools, child care centres and kindergartens.

From next year, the rule will also spread to organisations that receive little or no government funding, including sporting groups and child entertainment providers.

Jenny Mikakos, Minister for Families and Children told the ABC that the new legal standards would ensure cultural change within small and large organisations.

“We take the view that child safety is the responsibility of everyone in the community, and these new laws make it clear we expect high standards of any organisation that works with children,” she said. “This is about keeping children safe. We want new ways of protecting children from abuse to be part of everyday thinking and practice.”

Explaining further to the ABC, Jenny said:

“These standards will help organisations such as clubs and individuals that interact with children to do all that they can to prevent abuse and respond quickly when it is alleged.”

This new legislation legislation is seen as a direct result of a report released in August into the sexual exploitation of children in state care in Victoria, in which strong recommendations for substantial changes to Victoria’s residential care system and its handling of the exploitation of vulnerable children.

Image Source: Getty Images

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  • So long as it benefits the kids, it’s a great idea. That goes for anything.

    Reply

  • Consistent laws across Australia would go a long way towards protecting children.

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  • Many laws including this one should be National Laws not state.
    Road Laws have changed to National, even those classed as Local Govt. Act.
    One stupid thing about the Road Traffic Act is that the Police can pull you over for a license check and pull you over at the edge of a driveway, something I consider to be dangerous, especially on a main road.
    With all Laws until a person is reported the first time they can’t be arrested and charged. This is tragic in the case of young children who often have no access to the protection they need. There is also a problem with some Foster families too.

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  • lets hope it helps the poor loves

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  • Fantastic news, children need be safe and protected everywhere they go.

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  • Sounds like a good idea.

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  • things can’t change for these children unless there are great laws to protect and serve them –

    What I really dont understand though is why these sort of legislation are not an Australia wide decision – why does each state have to have different legislation it just makes it confusing and provides loop holes! – surely this would be more efficient and beneficial to the children across australia if australian law makers/legislation makers were unified and enforcing the same rules all over australia!


    • An excellent point – we do need an Australian wide approach.

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  • It’s a start. Let’s hope it works

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  • Good on Victoria for introducing new legislation.

    Reply

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