Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitations in Tasmania

Running head: CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATIONS IN TASMANIA 1
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitations in Tasmania
Name
Institution

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATIONS IN TASMANIA 2
Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitations in Tasmania
Q 1 A)
Child sexual abuse and exploitation in the States of Tasmania takes place in the form of
harassment, assault, bullying and discrimination on the bases of gender identity. According to
Krone et al. (2017), issues of child sexual abuse impose great negative effects on the affected
minor, parents, family members and the community in general. The State of Tasmania adopts
programs such as the Sexual Assault Support Service (SASS) aimed at availing social and
economic support among children who are considered as victims of all forms of sexual violence.
According to Walsh, Brandon and Kruck (2017), SASS proceeds with the aim of providing
counseling services among children who display problem sexual behaviors as well as sexually
abusive behaviors. On the other hand, Boxall et al. (2016) explain that the SASS program fosters
child protection by initiating a wider range of support programs targeting which include case
management, community advocacy, case management, crisis support and advocacy.
Further, SASS provides information and support initiatives among trained professionals
to ensure that its operational objectives are adequately achieved. The initiative further
implements community education ventures in a wider range of settings such as colleges, primary
and secondary schools. In 2016, the Tasmanian state government accorded SASS a four-year
grant through the Department of Education to foster operational efficiency in delivering training
to four institutions in this jurisdiction. To date, SASS attends to about 1000 clients on an annual
basis.
SASS depicts multiple commonalities with the Tasmanian state child protection
guidelines aimed at limiting sexual harassment among minors. For instance, the initiatives put in
place by SASS are in line with the state government’s policy frameworks such as the Children

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATIONS IN TASMANIA 3
and Young Person’s and Their Families Act 1997 that aims at meeting the needs of vulnerable
children in the society. SASS reinforces the objectives of the Children and Young Person’s and
Their Families Act 1997 by availing therapeutic interventions among children and other
members of the community who present with sexually abusive behavior.
B)
The child protection system put in place by the Tasmanian government gives a clear
reflection of the objectives of the national framework in terms of minimizing the vices associated
with sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. Boxall et al. (2016) reveal that the Australian
government tailors its child protection services in such a way that they are capable of receiving,
investigating and evaluating any allegations of minor abuse, neglect and harm by referring the
affected populaces to family and social support service providers. The fact that SASS works in
collaboration with communities and professionals to avail the necessary information, training
and support initiatives through workshops and societal education activities reveals its efficacy in
fulfilling the requirements of the national government.
Q. 2
a)
Institutionalization of policy changes has a great positive impact on the child protection
system in Tasmania. For instance, the inception of the Children and Young Person’s and Their
Families Act 1997 has been of critical significance in fostering positive behavioral change
among the residents of Tasmania. The policy frameworks put in place initiates statutory action
among minors that are affected with the issues of sexual abuse and exploitation by fostering
early prevention, intervention and collaborative platforms with community-based partnerships.