School ‘ sex abuse’ prompts shake- up

EDUCATION Minister Kate Jones has requested police recommend potential changes to reporting procedures for suspected sexual abuse against students in state schools following an alleged Townsville incident.

Government policy directs schools to report any alleged sexual offences against students by staff to the Education Department’s ethical stan- dards committee, which is then responsible for determining whether or not police are contacted. This procedure has been blamed for a delay of 24 hours before police were told by the Education Department of an alleged incident at a Townsville school.

“I have spoken directly with the police and I’m advised that the appropriate protocols were followed,” Ms Jones said.

“However, as previously advised, there is already an ethi- cal standards review under way. I have personally asked the police for any changes or steps they want us to take to improve child safety and of course, I will implement any recommendations they make.”

On October 19 a teacher’s aide in Townsville allegedly showed three Year 4 students a naked photo of himself about 1pm. Ms Jones confirmed the report from the school to the ethical standards committee came through at 4.53pm on the date of the offence and the department contacted police the following day. Opposition education spokeswoman Tracy Davis said she was waiting for answers from Ms Jones as to why there was a delay in notifying police.

The 25- year- old accused man faced Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday on three charges of exposing a child under 16 to an indecent image. The matters were adjourned until November 29.