Wellbeing

Child Abuse

Following on in promoting Child Safety; abuse can take many forms, such as physical, sexual, emotional, neglect or family violence. Child abuse is not ok. Under Victorian laws, people in certain professions are mandated to report concerns about child abuse, such as teachers, nurses and police. However, family and community members also have an obligation to help protect children, if child abuse is suspected. This means if you think a child has been abused, or is at risk of abuse, you should tell the police by calling 000 or visiting your local police station.

Talking to your child about safety can be difficult, but is an important conversation to have. You can remind them they should feel safe at school, home and in the community; that no one is allowed to hurt them with words or actions, make them feel scared or touch them in places they don’t want to be touched. Letting them know that they must tell you or another adult if they do not feel safe and that they won’t get into trouble is the first step to help prevent abuse.

If you need any support with any of this content, you can contact the school, or visit: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ or https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/health/protect/ChildSafeStandard5_ParentsProtecting.pdf