Rhonda Parker

Rhonda Parker

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    Funding for Geraldton Sexual Assault Resource Centre guaranteed till end of 2000

    22/12/1999 10:25 AM
     
    22/12/99


      Family and Children’s Services Minister Rhonda Parker said funding for the Geraldton Sexual Assault Resource Centre (GSARC) would be guaranteed until the end of next year.

      Mrs Parker said that in the meantime, the Murchison branch of the Department for Family and Children’s Services and GSARC would conduct a review of the child sexual assault treatment program and develop a plan in the area.

      “Part of the review will determine if the agency can provide a viable service to the Aboriginal community,” she said.

      “The decision to continue funding the services has been taken after considering an appeal by GSARC against a recommendation to cut the funding.”

      The Minister said reports that she had axed the service were completely inaccurate and had never been checked with her office.

      “The Government is committed to providing the best possible services in the child sexual assault area,” she said.

      Mrs Parker said this commitment had been shown by measures such as:
      • the ‘New Directions in Child Protection and Family Support,’ which improves the way the Department of Family and Children’s Services responds to allegations of abuse;
      • establishment of the Child Victim Witness Service;
      • the joint interviewing of victims of child abuse by Police and Family and Children’s Services;
      • the establishment of the WA Child Protection Council; and -
      • the setting up of the Child Protection Services Register.
      Mrs Parker said she was confident the review would ensure that children in the Mid-West received the best services available.

      Media contact: Owen Cole 9481 7810