Justice Peter McClellan used a speech to the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies in Sydney on Monday to call for an end in the power of the institutions to silence a child or diminish the preparedness or capacity of adults to protect children. 

He took particular aim at out-of-home-care where sexual abuse of children remained prevalent. 

The list included children participating in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously and ensuring staff are equipped to keep children safe through continual education.  

Families and Children Minister Jenny Mikados said the state government was already taking action to protect children in out-of-home care. Four new Ballarat child protection workers were announced on Monday.

She said the workers would help families in crisis and have a “direct, positive and lasting impact” on children at risk of abuse and neglect.

She the government had also established new partnership between Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services which focused on protecting children at serious risk of sexual exploitation. 

Under the changes, a Victoria Police sexual offence and child abuse investigator was allocated to each child who is identified as being at significant risk.

“The investigator, along with child protection staff, will build a relationship with each child or young person, building their trust while continuing to disrupt perpetrators and bringing them to justice,” Ms Mikados said. 

She said $16 million was invested into extra security and safety at residential care facilities last year. In May, the government pumped $8 million into vocational training for all residential care workers.

Last month, St Patrick’s College was the first Victorian secondary school to introduce the “gold standard” Keeping Them Safe program.

 Paedophile priests named in the royal commission hearings taught at St Patrick’s College during the 1970s and 1980s.

Catholic Education Commission of Victoria executive director Stephen Elder said the program was about changing cultures, raising awareness, minimising risk and strengthening capacity to prevent and respond to abuse by creating a zero tolerance environment.