Member

This amendment does not seek to criminalise the general public; rather, it seeks to ensure that those in positions of authority have a duty to speak up and protect children. This is often teachers, coaches and support workers, and they are able to put the safety and needs of children first because they spend a lot of time with children. In the past, we have heard that upward reporting in an institution is sufficient; sadly, we have seen that it is not. Whether that is because of possible damage to reputation, concerns over implications or something more sinister, it is clear that we need stricter guidance on how to report child sex abuse.