GET THE FACTS

As adults we all play a critical role to protect children from harm.

As a parent or carer you have the primary responsibility for protecting and caring for your own children and supporting them to build relationships that are safe and respectful.

You also play a critical role in identifying and responding to suspected abuse within the community. In fact it may amount to a criminal offence if you fail to report suspected sexual child abuse.

REPORTING ABUSE

What should I do if I suspect that my child has been abused?

If you believe that your child has been abused, or is at risk of being abused contact Victoria Police immediately via the local police station or on 000 if it’s an emergency.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF SUSPECT THAT ANOTHER CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED?

If you suspect that a child has been abused, or is at risk of abuse (such as physical abuse, family violence or neglect) you should report immediately to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Child Protection (see contact detail at the end of this fact sheet)

If you suspect that a child has been sexually abused, you must also report your concerns to the Victoria Police. You may be committing a criminal offence if you fail to do so.
You should report even if you’re not sure. It is the role of authorities to investigate your concerns and determine if any further action needs to be taken.
Parent and carers are also often in a position to protect the friends of their children. This is because children are most likely to disclose their experiences of abuse to their peers, who in turn may share this with their own parents and carers.
If your child talks to you about their friend, and you suspect that the child is being abused or is at risk of being abused, you should act. You may be the only adult in a position to act and your response may be critical in protecting that child’s safety.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT THAT A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED AND AUTHORITIES HAVE PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED AND DISMISSED MY REPORT?

If you have new grounds for believing that a child is being abused, you should make another report to DHHS Child Protection or Victoria Police. Every report is critical to protecting a child as it builds evidence and helps authorities to gain a clearer understanding of risks to the child.

WHAT HAPPENS TO MY CHILD IF SOMEONE AT THE SCHOOL SUSPECTS THAT MY CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED?

All staff members at your child’s school are required to report suspected child abuse to DHHS Child Protection and, in some circumstances, to Victoria Police.

Your child’s school will contact you as soon as possible, unless they have been advised not to do so by DHHS Child Protection and/or Victoria Police.

Where appropriate the school will work with you to ensure that your child is provided with support, which may include referring them to wellbeing professionals.

WHEN IS IT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE TO NOT REPORT SUSPECT ABUSE?

Any adult may face criminal charges if they believe that another adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 years of age and does not report this information to the police.

FACTS ON CHILD ABUSE

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse:

can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, grooming, emotional or physiological harm, neglect or family violence
does not have to involve physical contact or force (eg, child sexual abuse can include talking to a child in a sexually explicit way)
can be committed by any member of the community, including someone within a child’s family or someone within the school setting.

The trauma associated with child abuse can significantly impact upon the wellbeing and development of a child. This is why it is critical that we all respond immediately to any form of suspected abuse.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS THAT A CHILD HAS BEEN ABUSED?

There are a range of physical and behavioural indicators of child abuse.

Most importantly you should act if you notice anything that causes you to form a reasonable belief that a child has been, or is at risk of being abused, including (but not limited to):

a change in a child’s behaviour (e.g. withdrawal, regressive behaviour, or non-age appropriate sexual behaviours)
physical indicators of abuse (e.g. unexplained bruises, welts, signs of malnutrition)
an inappropriate relationship between an adult and a child (e.g. inappropriate physical contact, unexplained gifts or phone/email contact).

THE SCHOOL’S ROLE

HOW MUST SCHOOLS RESPOND TO SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE?

All staff in Victorian schools are obligated to respond to any incident or suspicion of child abuse as outlined below:

1. Respond to the emergency

Address any immediate health and safety needs (eg. administer

first aid or contact emergency services).

2. Inform authorities

Report any reasonable belief that a child has been, or is at risk of

being abused to the DHHS Child Protection or Victoria Police.

3. Contact parents/carers when appropriate

Contact parents/carers once authorities advise that it is safe and

appropriate to do so.

Ideally parents/carers will play a central role in providing support

for their children, however schools will be instructed not to

contact parents/carers in circumstances where this may impede

an investigation or place the child at greater risk.

4. Provide ongoing support for all children impacted by the

abuse

Provide appropriate support for all children impacted by abuse.

This will likely include ongoing counselling from professionals.

The child’s ongoing support will be documented in a Student

Support Plan.

These actions are outlined in further detail in Identifying and Responding to All Forms of Abuse in Victorian Schools.

ARE THE STAFF AT MY CHILD'S SCHOOL REQUIRED TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE?

Yes – all staff at your child’s school are required by law to report any reasonable belief that a child has been abused, or is at risk of abuse.

In some circumstances, it may be a criminal offence for school staff to fail to report child abuse to the authorities.

PROTECTING MY CHILD

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP EDUCATE AND PROTECT MY CHILD FROM ABUSE?

Have a chat to your child and make sure that he or she knows that no one is allowed to threaten, hurt or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable.

Every relationship should be respectful and no one should behave in a way that makes them feel unsafe or afraid.

Your child’s school will also be supporting your child in learning about their rights to be safe and respected. Victorian government schools are teaching the Respectful Relationships program which promotes positive attitudes and behaviours and is aimed at preventing family violence.

WHAT SHOULD I TALK ABOUT WHEN I EXPLAIN SAFETY TO MY CHILD?

There are some things you can do at home to build your child’s understanding of safe and respectful relationships including:

talking openly with your child about their feelings and relationships
being sure that they understand you will listen and act if they are concerns about how anyone is treating them
using the correct names for body parts and having age-appropriate conversations about touching and sexual activity
letting your child know that adults should never harm or act in a sexual way with any child.

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE OUTSIDE OF THE HOME OR SCHOOL

You play a critical role in ensuring that your children are spending time in safe places.

In Victoria all people who are working with your children such as coaches and music teachers need to have a current Working With Children Check.

You may like to check that any staff and volunteers spending time with your child after school hours and on weekend have a valid Working With Children Check.

If you think that you may need some help to keep your children safe from harm and support their healthy development, it is important you find some help. Visit the Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel for information on seeking support: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/h

GET THE FACTS

This fact sheet has been designed to give you the facts about child abuse. It includes advice on what to do if you have been abused, are being abused, or at risk of being abused. This fact sheet also provides you with advice if you know someone who has been abused, or is at risk of being abused.

WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS?

Everyone has the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse.
No one is allowed to threaten you, hurt you, or touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or afraid.
This includes all adults, other teenagers and children – it includes everyone from family members, coaches, teachers, to friends and strangers.
Every relationship should be respectful.
No one should ever involve you in sexual activity without your consent, and no one should behave in a way that makes you feel unsafe or afraid.
You don’t have to deal with abuse on your own. Talk to a trusted adult. Teachers and other adults at your school can support you to get help.

WHAT IS CHILD ABUSE?

Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or psychological harm, neglect, and family violence.
Child abuse can also include grooming. This is behaviour where an adult tries to establish a relationship or other emotional connection with a child, to prepare them for a sexual relationship.
Child abuse does not have to involve physical contact or force. It can include:
- controlling a child through threats
- exposing a child to sexual material and sexual acts
- exposing a child to family violence
Child abuse can be led by any member of a community or a family member. Abuse can impact anyone and it is never the victim’s fault.

For more information on sexual abuse and sexual assault visit Youth Central: http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/know-your-rights/sexual-assault .

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR FELL UNSAFE?

You should talk to an adult you trust.
If you have been abused, or feel unsafe or threatened in any way you don’t have to deal with this on your own.
Abuse is never your fault and you should tell a trusted adult so you can get the help and support you need to feel safe and protected. Talking to someone won’t get you in trouble.
You can tell a teacher or any adult at your school. They will be able to help you.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I THINK SOMEONE I KNOW HAS BEEN ABUSED OR IS UNSAFE?

You should talk to an adult you trust. Any staff member at your school will be able to help.
You can also help your friend by encouraging them to tell a trusted adult.

WHAT IF MY FRIEND DOESN'T WANT TO TELL AN ADULT?

You should still tell an adult you trust on your friend’s behalf.
Even if your friend has specifically asked you not to tell an adult, you still should. It is more important to make sure that your friend is helped and feels protected.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I TELL AN ADULT AT THE SCHOOL THAT I FEEL UNSAFE, OR THAT I KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS UNSAFE?

You will be helped.
Teachers and other adults at your school must listen to your concerns and help you.
The information will not be shared with the person who is making you feeling unsafe.
Information will only be shared with people who can support and protect you.
In some cases the people helping you are required by law to tell the police, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Child Protection services and/or your family to prevent any further abuse, or risk of abuse.

WHAT IF I DON'T FEEL LIKE I CAN TALK TO ANYONE AT MY SCHOOL?

You should still find a trusted adult to talk to.
Abuse or feeling uncomfortable is too big to deal with on your own.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO CAN SUPPORT YOU TO FEEL SAFE AND PROTECTED. YOU CAN:

visit eHeadspace (which provides an online and a 9am-1am telephone support service) www.eheadspace.org.au or 1800 650 850
call KidsHelp Line on 1800 55 1800 or visit for 24 hour support
call or visit your local police station or call 000.
Talk to your doctor, psychologist, social worker, welfare officer, or another trusted adult.

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