Offenders under 13 years — health checks

Extract from Hansard

5228. Hon Alison Xamon to the Minister for Energy representing the Minister for Police

I refer to children under the age of 13 who are charged with offences in Western Australia, and I ask —

(1) How many children under the age of 13 were charged with offences in Western Australia in 2010–11?

(2) Is it Government policy to give these children health checks to ascertain if they have any health problems which may contribute to their offending?

(3) If no to (2), why not?

(4) If yes to (2), how many were given health checks?

(5) If yes to (2), do the health checks include screening for —

(a) auditory processing disorder;

(b) foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and

(6) other mental or development problems (please list)? If yes to (5), how many children were found to have —

(a) auditory processing disorder;

(b) one of the foetal alcohol spectrum disorders; and

(c) other mental or development problems (please list)?

Hon PETER COLLIER replied:

(1) 1 041

NB: This figure does not include children that were: cautioned, diverted away from the court system, not criminally responsible — due to age, not in the public interest, or statute barred.

(2) WA Police deal with youth offenders in accordance with the Protective Custody Act 2000, Children’s Court of Western Australia Act 1988 and the Young Offenders Act 1994.

(3) See above.

(4)–(6) Not applicable.