In March, nation-leading reforms to keep young workers safe passed the South Australian parliament, which will keep child sex offenders out of workplaces where workers under 18 years old are present.
These reforms pushed by the SDA mean predators will now be barred from working in any workplace where they would be working alongside children, including retail and fast food. These are nation-leading reforms and South Australia will be the first place in Australia to pass these laws and close this loophole.
There have been far too many incidents where managers have been allowed to continue to work with or manage young workers in retail or fast food, despite being charged with child sex offences.
This means anyone convicted of a child related sex offence will be barred from working in any workplace where they would be working alongside children – including retail and fast food.
Nearly half of 15 to 17 year old workers have experienced sexual harassment at work, compared to 33% of adult workers.
They are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual, physical and mental abuse at work and stronger framework and workplace protections will help to prevent this.
Working with Children Checks must be introduced in retail and fast food
The SDA is calling for Working with Children Checks to become mandatory in retail and fast food to ensure these laws are complied with.
This would mean that any adults working with or supervising workers under the age of 18 will need to undergo the appropriate screening requirements, removing this risk from the workplace.