Obligations to children taken seriously
Letter to the Editor - Daily Telegraph
29 July 2004
Dear Sir/Madam
The Department takes very seriously its obligations to protect children in immigration detention and it makes every effort to prevent undesirable actions occurring and to ensure that children are not exposed to harm (Where predators are kept with the vulnerable, 29/7/2004).
While parents retain the primary duty of care for their children, the detention services provider and the Department refer specific allegations of mistreatment of abuse to appropriate authorities such as the police and relevant state welfare authorities for prompt and careful investigation.
The matters referred to in your story were reported by the detention services provider at Villawood Immigration Detention Centre to the Department, as well as the NSW Police and Department of Community Services (DoCS), as required by established reporting procedures. These agencies investigated the reported incidents and advised that there was no basis for further action.
Anyone who has genuine claims of any inappropriate behaviour in relation to any detainee, is encouraged to speak with the appropriate authorities, such as the Department, DoCS, Commonwealth Ombudsman, or the police.
Stewart Foster
Director
Public Affairs
DIMIA