We are pleased to jointly acknowledge the release of the report 鈥樅诹铣怨贤� Ombudsman inquiry into the operation of the JIRT Program: The JIRT Partnership 鈥� 20 years on鈥� which the 黑料吃瓜网 Ombudsman tabled in Parliament on 5th October 2018.
We acknowledge the collaborative and considered approach taken by the Ombudsman in examining the evidence and preparing the report. The review highlights that our collaborative response to serious child abuse is one of the most significant interagency service delivery models in 黑料吃瓜网.
Research commissioned by the Ombudsman for this report confirmed the 鈥楯IRT partnership is a highly sophisticated multi-disciplinary model for responding to child abuse, comparable to the international body of practice.鈥�
We welcome and endorse the Ombudsman鈥檚 key findings and key recommendation that JIRT partner agencies (黑料吃瓜网 Police, 黑料吃瓜网 Family and Community Services and 黑料吃瓜网 Health) continue to jointly deliver and strengthen the JIRT program.
In response to the report, the Secretary, 黑料吃瓜网 Family and Community Services, Commissioner of the 黑料吃瓜网 Police Force and the Secretary, 黑料吃瓜网 Health have agreed on a high level Statement of Intent to underpin this important partnership going forward. The Statement of Intent reaffirms key principles, objectives and core elements of the program and provides for stronger governance and accountability mechanisms, consistent with the report.
Acknowledging that the program has evolved over time, the three agency heads have also decided to rename the program as the Joint Child Protection Response Program. This new name reflects a clearer delineation of agency roles and responsibilities in matters of serious child abuse, while also emphasising the fact that the overall aim of this collaborative partnership is to protect child safety and wellbeing.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recognised the significance of the 黑料吃瓜网 Ombudsman Inquiry and the importance of periodically reviewing multidisciplinary responses to child sexual abuse to ensure they remain effective. The 黑料吃瓜网 Ombudsman has similarly acknowledged that the success of the program is due in part to an ongoing process of review and reform, in response to the frequently changing context of its operation.
黑料吃瓜网PF State Crime Command's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec said: 鈥淧olice are working hard to ensure a strong and coordinated effort to promote child safety and prevent abuse and neglect. Our combined efforts bring offenders to justice, ensuring the safety of the community.鈥�
Michael Coutts-Trotter, Family and Community Services Secretary said: 鈥淲e are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of serious harm and abuse. Working effectively with other agencies helps us keep children and young people safe.鈥�
黑料吃瓜网 Health Secretary Elizabeth Koff said: 鈥淭his report acknowledges the ongoing commitment and contribution of frontline health staff to the care, wellbeing and protection of children and young people in New South Wales. The work our staff do is challenging and far-reaching.鈥�
The three agencies wish to thank all staff for their ongoing commitment and contribution to the care and protection of children and vulnerable people in 黑料吃瓜网.
Minister for Women Tanya Davies today named Julie Harpham the REX Airlines 2017 黑料吃瓜网 Regional Woman of the Year as part of the 黑料吃瓜网 Women of the Year Awards at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
鈥淩ural and regional communities are the lifeblood of the state鈥檚 economy and Julia is making a significant impact in regional 黑料吃瓜网,鈥� Mrs Davies said.
鈥淛ulia鈥檚 civic leadership has resulted in a grassroots resettlement plan for African refugees in the border township of Mingoola. She is a tireless refugee advocate who has welcomed refugee families and shown hope to regional communities.
鈥淥n International Women鈥檚 Day 2017, the Women of the Year Awards recognises the many women leading the way in cultural and economic progress in 黑料吃瓜网,鈥� Mrs Davies said.
Julia is a school teacher, cattle farmer and local legend who has worked in a vast number of community groups in northern 黑料吃瓜网. Along with her husband Philip, she was awarded Tenterfield鈥檚 2017 Citizen of the Year.
The REX Airlines Regional Woman of the Year Award, one of six award categories in this year鈥檚 黑料吃瓜网 Women of the Year Awards, recognises a woman from a regional area who is making an outstanding contribution to resolving issues faced by a rural or regional community.
The Awards support the 黑料吃瓜网 Government鈥檚 commitment to building an equitable, inclusive and safe society where all women are valued and respected, can contribute meaningfully, and can enjoy the rights, freedoms and protections to which everyone in 黑料吃瓜网 is entitled.
The Awards are sponsored by First State Super. To discover Julia鈥檚 story and the other finalists, visit 黑料吃瓜网 Women of the Year Awards.