A Task Force on Child Sexual Abuse was established by the Premier of Western Australia in June 1986 and delivered its final report in December 1987. The Task Force was chaired by Dr Carmen Lawrence and membership included senior officers from relevant public agencies and a representative of the Incest Survivors Association. The Task Force made 64 recommendations relating to the extent of child sexual abuse in WA, the adequacy of existing laws, policies, procedures and programs to deal with reported cases, and strategies to both reduce the incidence of child abuse and more effectively deal with it when it did occur.
The terms of reference of the Task Force included investigating and reporting on the:
The Task Force was chaired by Dr Carmen Lawrence (who was later Premier) and included senior representatives from the Department for Community Services, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Law Reform Commission, Crown Law Department, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Women's Interests Division), Ministry of Education, Police Department, Health Department and the Incest Survivors Association Inc.
The Task Force called for public submissions. Four sub-committees were established to address the terms of reference and consult with the community on draft recommendations. These were:
The Task Force made 64 Recommendations, including:
Sources used to compile this entry: Lawrence, Carmen, Child Sexual Abuse Task Force : a report to the Government of Western Australia, Child Sexual Abuse Task Force, Child Sexual Abuse Taskforce, Perth, December 1987.
Prepared by: Debra Rosser
Created: 27 January 2013, Last modified: 21 August 2013