Finding into death of RGF

Contributing factors

• Long-term sexual abuse and threats of violence against stepdaughter by deceased
• Failure of teachers to report suspected abuse despite concerning information
• Absence of disclosure of abuse to authorities despite suspicions among community members
• Barriers to reporting among victims, family members, and community members
• Lack of community awareness and education about child sexual abuse and reporting mechanisms
• Failure to escalate concerns through mandatory reporting channels

Coroner's recommendations

1. That the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) complete and introduce an on-going evaluation of its mandatory reporting training provided to teachers, in order to monitor its efficacy in achieving its stated aims.
2. That the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) ensure that its on-going professional development obligations to its teachers address the identified barriers to the reporting of child abuse.
3. That the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) accept and implement Recommendation 10 of the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry contained in Chapter 7: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect. Specifically, that the DEECD develop a wide-ranging education and information campaign for parents and care givers of all school-aged children on the prevention of child sexual abuse.