Child Safety Officers given greater protection

Child Safety Minister Margaret Keech today welcomed changes to the criminal code that could see people who assault Child Safety Officers jailed for 7years.

Mrs Keech said the changes acknowledged that front-line child protection workers have one of the toughest jobs in government.

“Our Child Safety Officers are community heroes – on a daily basis they protect children from harm and they deserve this increased protection,” she said.

“When children are involved emotions can be running high and our CSO’s are often faced with confronting situations.

“While they were previously protected by the law in the same manner as any victim of crime – CSO’s are now specifically acknowledged by the criminal code.

“Be warned if you assault a Child Safety Officer – a person there to protect children – you could be jailed for seven years.”

The Criminal Code and Other Acts Amendment Bill was passed by state parliament overnight.

Mrs Keech said figures showed that so far this year there have been around 53 threats and 17 assaults against staff, carers and service providers.

In 2007 there were 41 assaults and 157 threats, 52 assaults and 96 threats in 2006 and 28 assaults and 72 threats reported in 2005.

“Child Safety Officers are now given the same level of protection as a police officer or prison guard, and so they should be,” Mrs Keech said.

“I hope that these legislative changes will act as a deterrent.

“Our staff deserve to go to work every day without the fear of physical violence, abuse or threats hanging over their heads.

“I want to encourage staff to bring any of these issues to the Department’s immediate attention so that we can ensure the offenders feel the full force of the law.”

ENDS

Matthew Hyde: 3235 9236