Criminology Research Council grant ; (15/93-4)
This study questioned young people and youth sector workers about various aspects of new Victorian mandatory reporting laws. Focus groups were conducted by peer researchers with 163 young people comprising a mix of those who had experienced and had not experienced protective intervention, and a specially designed self-report survey was administered to 150 workers drawn from the membership of the peak youth affairs body for the State. The data identify the knowledge skill and training needs of youth sector workers and the common concerns of young people about the impact of the new laws. The report makes a series of recommendations with respect to legislative and administrative changes, training, information, program initiatives and research:
- the Department of Health and Community Services should prepare and issue administrative guidelines placing a positive expectation upon notifiers and protective interviewers to act in accordance with the wishes of young people 14 years and above;
- that specific training be provided to youth workers irrespective of their status in relation to the legislative requirements of the Victorian mandatory reporting legislation;
- there should be a range of age appropriate materials explaining the meaning and consequences of mandatory reporting to young people and their rights when protective investigation is to be triggered or has been triggered;
- printed material should be available in schools, hospitals, doctors' and dentists' surgeries, Department of Social Security, Commonwealth Employment Services and train stations;
- establishment of a statewide advisory line for young people and those who want to provide support to them.