The Western Australian Department for Child Protection and Family Support division of the Department of Communities conducted a statutory review on the Children and Community Services Act 2004 on behalf of the Minister for Child protection. The review’s terms of reference were to examine the operation and effectiveness of the Act as a whole.
Anti-Slavery Australia submits that age is not a barrier to forced marriage, and individuals of all ages may be forced into a marriage. In focussing on the forced marriage of children under the age of 18 Anti-Slavery Australia makes the following key recommendations:
- Expansion of mandatory reporting provisions to include any circumstance where a child is at significant risk of harm, including forced marriage;
- Recognising children at risk of forced marriage as children in need of protection;
- Introduction of protection orders for children at risk of forced marriage; and
- Development of education and training on forced marriage for Western Australian government agencies and community.
Anti-Slavery Australia Submission on the Children and Community Services Act 2004 (2017)