NSW: Fourteen people banned from working with children report

AAP General News (Australia)
12-14-2000
NSW: Fourteen people banned from working with children report

SYDNEY, Dec 14 AAP - Fourteen people who applied to work in child-related professions
in New South Wales this year were banned after it was discovered they had sexually assaulted
or physically abused children.

The backgrounds of the applicants were uncovered as part of new screening process which
came into force in NSW in July.

The NSW Commission for Children and Young People revealed the applicants had been checked
for offences relating to child abuse, pornography, sexual activity and acts of indecency.

They were among 86,241 applicants whose backgrounds were checked after applying for
paid employment with children in the private and public sectors this year.

It also was revealed that several others had withdrawn their candidacy after they were
informed their backgrounds would be checked.

The laws were recommended by the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption after
it criticised the then haphazard checking processes for child workers.

The NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, Gillian Calvert, said the laws
prevented her from revealing the exact nature of the 14 applicants' offences.

The applicants had sought work in fields ranging from childcare and teaching to ministers
of religion, she said.

"Those people would have been considered to be unsuitable to work with children based
on either their criminal record or completed disciplinary matters," Ms Calvert told reporters.

"We've also had people withdraw from the process once they know the depth of information
that is held about them."

Ms Calvert also revealed three applicants who were automatically banned from working
with children after receiving a serious sex offence conviction had been granted an exemption.

A further 13 were seeking an exemption before the Industrial Relations Commission or
the Administrative Decisions Tribunal.

Several others had withdrawn their appeals, she said.

"Three of them were granted an exemption and, in my view, that was appropriate," Ms Calvert said.

Ms Calvert said the checks would be expanded next year to include volunteers.

But while the laws were working well in NSW, there were fears the rejected applicants
could move interstate.

Ms Calvert said she would encourage the government to raise the issue at national forums.

"I ... have concerns that people will be able to move interstate which is why I am
urging other states to pick up this legislation," she said.

Ms Calvert said research had shown about 30 per cent of child sex offenders abused
up to 50 children.

About 70 per cent abused up to 10 children.

AAP ls/sb/mjm/bwlO

KEYWORD: CHILDREN

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