Citation

Cripps K. Indigen. Law Bull. 2014; 8(13): 15-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Indigenous Law Centre, Faculty of Law, University of New South Wales)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In May 2014, the Crimes Amendment (Protection of Children) Bill 2014 was introduced to the Victorian Parliament. This Bill amends four related Acts1 to create two new criminal offences in relation to the sexual abuse of children. Both offences relate to the failure of adults to report and to protect children from sexual abuse. It turns a 'failure to protect' policy that potentially removes children from mothers who are the victims of family violence, into a law that will also turn a victim of violence into a criminal. The new laws have caused much controversy with many commentators concerned over the impact on victims of family violence, and how they may be criminalised for failing to protect their children in arguably very difficult and confronting circumstances.

Language: en