Fed: Aust police involved in child abuse probe - Downer = 3

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2005
Fed: Aust police involved in child abuse probe - Downer = 3

Mr Downer said in the statement that DFAT was working with Child Wise, an organisation
trying to prevent the exploitation of children overseas, on strategies to prevent child
sex abuse occurring at childcare centres in Bali.

The program involved training to assist hotels to improve screening and recruitment
procedures for staff and developing codes of conduct.

Since the allegations were raised, DFAT had also issued general information on children's
issues which suggested parents should research child care standards if they were planning
to place their children in childcare centres.

Mr Downer told Sky News that many childcare centres did not meet Australian standards.

"It is very important that we tell people that and we have specific advice for parents
travelling overseas," he said.

"But we can't claim a particular childcare centre is a place where paedophiles are
active if we don't have any hard evidence for that."

Mr Downer said it was unfortunate police were not able to determine who was responsible
for the abuse.

"We can't then turn around and accuse people of being responsible for the abuse if
we don't have any evidence," he said.

"I mean, if we were do to that you can imagine the consequences, including in terms
of legal suits that would follow."

AAP so/sb/evt/bwl

KEYWORD: RESORTS DOWNER AFP 3 CANBERRA

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