Mandatory
Reporting
Last updated
25.08.13
Definition
-
Legislative requirement imposed on certain persons to report
suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to government authorities
Features
-
Report cases if sufficient to cause significant harm to the childs health or wellbeing to warrant intervention or service
provision
-
Actual proof not required but rather reasonable suspicion of
-
Enforced in all states & territories in Australia but
some variation in actual laws
- Sexual abuse always
reportable
-
Victoria
-
All cases of sexual & physical abuse must be reported
-
Medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, teachers &
police must report
-
Report if there is a belief on reasonable ground that a
child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm as a results of
physical injury or sexual abuse and the childs
parents have not protected, or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of
that type
-
Reporters identity protected from disclosure
-
As long as report made in good faith reporter not liable in
any civil, criminal or administrative proceedings
-
Up to 18years old
-
Enables early detection of cases which may not otherwise
come to the attention of helping agencies
Indication
Procedure
-
Telephone relevant body
-
Victorian Child Protection
Services
-
131 278 24hrs, 7 days, toll free – emergency service
-
Local offices during business hours
-
Gippsland 1800 020 202
References
Australian Government:
Australian Institute of Family Studies
DHS Victoria: Child
Protection