The response to child abuse in Western Australia would be helped by a central online portal, dedicated support for indigenous youths and more funding for a helpline, a parliamentary committee has found.
The committee, which examined how the Commissioner for Children and Young People could enhance WA's response to child abuse, made 24 findings and eight recommendations.
It determined the commissioner should not receive or refer individual allegations of abuse due to the potential duplication of services provided by other agencies.
But it has recommended a dedicated online portal - and associated social media presence - providing information about services, advice, emerging issues and best practice for responding to child abuse.
A special adviser or a commissioner for Aboriginal children would also help to respond to the unique needs and challenges faced by indigenous youths to ensure "their voices are to be heard and valued".
It also noted the Kids Helpline provided valuable assistance and should be provided with funding to match the demand for its services.
The committee also expressed concern that many services providing support, counselling and therapeutic responses for children and their families affected by child sex abuse were at capacity.
Several private specialists providing therapeutic services for victims refused to accept referrals for those in state care, the committee added.
OTHER KEY RECOMMENDATIONS:
* Investigate capacity limitations and unmet demand within support services for child abuse victims and the provision of appropriate service models and funding
* Annual reporting by the Education Department on protective behaviours education at each school
* Commissioner should develop an education and outreach role to increase awareness about child abuse matters, including prevention
* Changes to the Act to provide a complaints monitoring function that extends to complaints about services provided to children by public sector agencies and non-government service providers.
