Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare and Victorian Council of Social Service Responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Wednesday 1 May 2013 Organisational Governance- Risks and Responsibilities Peter Johnstone OAM Chairman, VincentCare Victoria PJ Governance 1 May 20131

Sexual abuse – Two levels of Criminality 1.The actual sexual abuse of children 2.The aggravation of those abuses by organisations responsible for the abusers – failing to act in accordance with the organisation’s basic values, and – protecting abusers, protecting the organisation, failing to protect children, and exposing further children to abuse. PJ Governance 1 May 20132

Corporate governance  the processes by which organisations are directed, controlled and held to account  organisations achieving their missions in an accountable and ethical manner, focused on outcomes and managing risks  boards and managers meeting their responsibilities for effective and ethical leadership  authority, accountability, stewardship, leadership, direction and control exercised in the organisation  culture promoting values PJ Governance 1 May 20133

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse “inquire into institutional responses to allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse and related matters.” – seek justice for victims – ensure necessary changes to society and its institutions to prevent such scandalous situation ever recurring. The Letters Patent require that – best practice (be) identified so that it may be followed in the future to protect against the occurrence of child sexual abuse and to respond appropriately when any allegations and incidents of child sexual abuse occur, including holding perpetrators to account and providing justice to victims. PJ Governance 1 May 20134

The Challenge for Organisations What went wrong that has led to this major inquiry? The governance of my organisation and others What can we contribute to the Royal Commission? What are the principles that will guide our response? What are the risks of inadequate responses – risks to organisations and to children? PJ Governance 1 May 20135

Organisational Responsibilities Accountability and Values Recruitment and Supervision Reporting of crime to civil authorities Governance structures PJ Governance 1 May 20136

The Obvious Questions How could this happen: particularly totally inadequate and at times criminal responses by organisations that claim lofty ideals? – - organisations whose very purpose is the good of others whether grounded in religious or humanitarian motives. What steps do organisations need to take to ensure that such dysfunctional and irresponsible organisational behaviour cannot occur again? – Much present governance has been shown to be woefully inadequate. PJ Governance 1 May 20137

QUESTIONS/ OBSERVATIONS ??? PJ Governance 1 May 20138