Page 1

Speak Up
Understanding and responding to child abuse

About Child Wise

Established in 1991, Child Wise is one of Australias leading not-for-profit child sexual abuse prevention
organisations. Our vision is of a society in which children can grow up free from abuse and exploitation. Child
Wise works to build awareness, deliver education, and provide the tools to empower individuals and communities
around Australia so they can actively prevent child abuse.

Purpose of the Speak Up booklet

The purpose of this booklet is to provide parents, carers and professionals who work with children, information
about the importance of preventing and reporting instances of child abuse.
ISBN: 978-0-9577811-4-6
Child Wise Ltd, 2016.
Design by Jasmine Tsan.
Child Wise values feedback and comments in order to improve our programs. Please contact us if you would like
to make any suggestions regarding this guide.

Table of Contents
Types of child abuse

Australian child protection data

Impacts of child abuse and trauma

Particularly vulnerable groups

Common sex offender behaviours

Child Safer organisations and communities

Child abuse trauma indicators by age group

Sexual development in children

10

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child

13

Child safe screening legislation in each State & Territory

14

Child safe screening systems used in each State & Territory

16

Reporting child abuse

19

Child Protection authorities

20

Support services

22

Page 2

Types of child abuse

Child abuse is an act that endangers a child or young persons health and wellbeing.
Child abuse comes in different forms, all of which can have an impact on a child or young
persons social, physical, intellectual and/or emotional development. Child abuse can be
a single event or a series of traumatic events, both of which can have long lasting impacts
on the victim.

Sexual Abuse
Occurs when a person uses power, force or authority to involve a child or young person
in any form of unwanted or illegal sexual activity. These behaviours may take the form of
touching or fondling, obscene or suggestive phone calls, taking or exposing children to
sexually explicit images and videos, penetration (with penis, finger or other object), and
forcing or coercing children to have sex or engage in sexual acts with other children or
adults.

Physical Abuse
Occurs when a child or young person suffers significant harm from an injury. The injury
may be intentionally inflicted, or may be the inadvertent consequence of physical
punishment or physically aggressive treatment of a child or young person. Physical abuse
may take the form of hitting, punching, beating, shaking, burning, restraining, poisoning or
otherwise causing harm to the child.

Emotional Abuse
Also referred to as psychological abuse, emotional abuse affects a childs self-esteem
and can have a significant impact on a childs mental, social and emotional development.
Emotional abuse can include being repeatedly isolated, rejected, continual coldness,
excluding and distancing of a child, or putting down and calling a child demeaning names.

Neglect
Occurs when there is a failure to provide or cater for a child or young persons basic needs
for life, such as food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, supervision or care, to the extent
that the childs health and development is, or is likely to be, placed at risk.

Exposure to Family Violence

Occurs when children and young people witness or experience the chronic domination,
coercion, intimidation and victimisation of one person by another by physical, sexual
or emotional means within a domestic relationship. Exposure to domestic violence can
include watching or hearing a family member assault or threaten another member of
the family, direct involvement (for example, trying to intervene or calling the police), or
experiencing the aftermath of family violence, such as seeing physical indicators of abuse
or observing parental depression.

Grooming
Occurs when communication or conduct is linked to the intention of facilitating the
involvement of a child in sexual behaviour with an adult. It can include, but is not limited
to, developing special relationships with a child; favouring or giving gifts to a child or young
person; inappropriate interactions with children either in person or via forms of media and
electronic devices; asking a child or young person to keep a secret of any aspect of their
relationship; and testing of, or ignoring, professional boundaries or rules.

Page 3

Australian child protection data

The graph below outlines national statutory child protection data. The data shows the
magnitude of child protection in Australia over the past five years. It is important to
remember that these are only the reports that are made to child protection authorities.
Unfortunately too many instances of child abuse go unreported.

In 2013 - 2014 across Australia:

Total number of notifications: 304,097

Children the subject of substantiations: 54,438
Children on Orders: 45,746
Children in Out of Home Care: 43,009

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Canberra, Child Protection Australia 2013-14

Page 4

Impacts of child abuse

and trauma

A childs primary
drive is towards
attachment
rather than
safety.

Children and young people need stable, sensitive, loving and stimulating relationships and
environments in order to reach their full potential. Child abuse can have significant and
long lasting impact on a childs development. Home life, culture, family and community
dynamics play an essential role in childrens development, as they impact on a childs
experiences and opportunities.
A childs primary drive is towards attachment rather than safety - they will accommodate
to the parenting style they experience.
It is crucial to keep in mind that children are particularly vulnerable when witnessing and/
or experiencing violence, abuse and/or neglectful circumstances. Given their age and
vulnerability, witnessing or being a victim of abuse can lead children to have and display
complex traumatic responses. Accordingly, infants and children adapt to frightening and
overwhelming circumstances through the bodys survival response. Their autonomic
nervous system will become activated and switch on their natural flight/fight/freeze
response.
Repeated and prolonged exposure to these experiences can lead to toxic stress for a child,
which:

alters the childs brain development,

sensitises the child to further stress,
leads to heightened activity levels and hypervigilance,
consequently affects future learning and concentration.

Most importantly, abuse and trauma impairs a childs ability to trust and relate to others.
When children are traumatised, they find it difficult to regulate their mood and behaviour,

Page 5

and to self-soothe, which can have a lifelong effect.

Traumatic memories are stored differently to everyday memories. They are instead
encoded in vivid imagery and sensations and lack verbal narrative and context. As they
are unprocessed, they are likely to flood the child when triggers such as smells, sounds
or internal and/or external reminders present at a later stage. Moreover, children can
experience severe sleep disruption and intrusive nightmares, which contribute to their
changed behaviour.
It is particularly important that attention is given to understanding the complexity of a
childs experience. The recovery process for children is enhanced by the support of nonoffending family members and significant others. Survivors of child abuse are often
diagnosed with post-traumatic stress and other mental illnesses as adults due to their
adverse childhood experiences.
It is also important to acknowledge that parents can have similar post-traumatic
responses, as they feel overwhelmed and suffer shock and grief from their childs trauma
and may need ongoing support as well.

The recovery
process for
children is
enhanced by
the support of
non-offending
family members
and significant
others.

Page 6

Particularly vulnerable groups

Infants and pre-school children are at higher risk of abuse than older children. The leading
cause of death amongst this age group is from injury and assault - the rate of child
homicide is highest among infants less than 1 year old.
Indigenous children are over-represented across the child protection system compared
with non-Indigenous children. In 2013-14, Indigenous children were:

Approximately 7 times more likely to be the subject of substantiated abuse or neglect.

Almost 10 times more likely to be on a care and protection order.
Over 10 times more likely to be in out-of-home care.

It is estimated that children with a disability are 3 times more likely to be sexually abused
but the actual rate is probably far higher. There is early evidence to suggest that children
from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) or migrant background are also at higher
risk of sexual abuse.
Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, 2015.

Common sex offender

behaviours
Methods used to develop trust

Spending a lot of time with children and possibly their families.

Touching the child in a non-sexual way and then progressively touching the child in a
sexual way.
Giving the child a lot of special attention, more than what would be regarded as usual.
Complimenting and saying loving things to children.
Doing things the child wants to do or buying gifts.
Testing their ability to keep secrets.
Filling a void perceived to be left by primary parents or carers.

Common locations for sexual offending

At the childs home or the home of a friend or family member.

Through organised sports or community activities.
In child-related organisations and businesses.

Means for organising time alone

Babysitting/looking after children.

Taking a child on an outing, going for car rides or walks.
Offering to provide tutoring, coaching or other extra curricular activities.

Page 7

Child Safer organisations

and communities
12 Standards for a Child Safer Organisation

The Child Wise

Standards aim
to prevent,
minimise
and end child
abuse in an
organisational
and institutional
context.

An open & aware culture

Screening of representatives

Understanding child abuse

Support & supervision

Managing risk to minimise abuse

Empowering children & young people

Child protection policies & procedures

10

Training & education

Clear boundaries

11

Complaints & disclosures

Recruitment & selection

12

Legal responsibilities

Child Wise established the 12 Standards for a Child Safer Organisation to create a
framework for building open, transparent, and accountable organisations. If fully adopted,
the Standards will act to combat the barriers to establishing a child safe organisation
fear, denial, lack of resources, complacency, group think, and an entrenched culture.
Child Wise has been active in its engagement with state and federal governments to help
develop a national set of child safety standards. We are confident that these standards
align with current and pending child safety standards in Australia. Just as all organisations
are expected to meet Occupational Health and Safety standards through OHS regulations
(i.e. WorkCover), organisations with a duty of care for children should be expected to meet
standards for the protection and wellbeing children.
The Standards work together - by understanding child abuse organisations will be
better able to identify any risks to children; by accounting for known risks through clear
boundaries and codes of conduct they will enable better support and supervision of staff;
better training in offender grooming behaviours will lead to more effective recruitment
processes, and so on.
The Standards aim to prevent, minimise and end child abuse in an organisational
and institutional context. They employ situational crime prevention tools to create
environments that are child safe. This does not seek to have a direct effect on the
behaviour of offenders but aims to eliminate or reduce their inappropriate behaviour within
organisations. It is about creating safer environments, rather than safer individuals; the goal
of a child safe environment is to create a culture where opportunities for abuse are unable
to take place.
Recognising that there is no fool-proof system for the complete prevention of all forms of
abuse, the Standards also incorporate elements of public health interventions to prevent
the abuse of children, heighten the likelihood that abuse will be detected, and to reduce
the long term impacts of abuse on children.

Page 8

Child abuse trauma indicators

by age group
Age Group

Trauma Indicators

Trauma Impacts

0 12
months

Increased tension, irritability,

reactivity and inability to relax
Increased startle response
Lack of eye contact
Sleep and eating disruption
Loss of acquired skills
Back arching
Aggression
Touch avoidance

Neurobiology of brain and central

nervous system altered by switched
on alarm response
Behavioural changes
Regression in acquired
developmental gains
Lowered stress threshold
Lower immune system

12 months
3 years

Lack of eye contact

Inability to be soothed
Increased tension, irritability,
reactivity and inability to relax
Loss of eating skills
Alarmed by trauma related
reminders
Uncharacteristic aggression
Touch avoidance
Sexualised play with toys

Neurobiology of brain and central

nervous system altered by switched
on alarm response
Sleep disruption
Behavioural changes
Greater food sensitivities
Lowered stress threshold
Lower immune system

Regression to younger behaviour

Bodily aches, pains and illness
complaints with no explanation
Loss of skills (toileting, eating, selfcare)
Lack of eye contact
Sleep disturbance, nightmares,
night terrors
Withdrawal and quietening
General fearfulness
Separation anxiety
Sexualised drawings and
demonstrated sexual knowledge

Lack of eye contact

Spacey, distractible or hyperactive
Increased tension, irritability,
reactivity and inability to relax
Accident prone
Absconding/truanting from school
Hurting animals, fire lighting
Toileting accidents/smearing of
faeces

Loss of concentration and memory

Eating disturbances
Risk taking behaviour triggered by
previous experience of trauma
Sleep disturbance due to intrusive
imagery
Mood or personality changes
Wish for revenge and action
oriented responses triggered by
trauma
Fearful of closeness and love

3 5 years

5 7 years

Behavioural changes
Hyperactive, hyper-arousal
Tiredness and lack of concentration
Delayed gross motor and visual
perceptual skills
Greater food sensitivities
Fear of trauma reoccurrence
Low self-esteem and selfconfidence
Loss of focus, lack of concentration
and increased inattentiveness

Page 9

Age Group

Trauma Indicators

7 9 years

Frightened by intensity of own

feelings
Distant and withdrawn
Feelings of shame, guilt and
humiliation
Spacey, distractible, blanking out,
loss of ability to concentrate
Increased tension, irritability,
hyperactive, reactivity and inability
to relax
Lowered school performance
Bodily aches and pains with no
reason
Hurting animals, fire lighting
Retelling of traumatic events
Feelings of shame, guilt and
humiliation
Spacey, distractible, blanking out,
loss of ability to concentrate
Reduced capacity to feel emotions
may appear numb or apathetic,
distant and withdrawn
Depressed
Vulnerable to anniversary reactions
caused by seasonal events, holidays
Lowered school performance
Retelling of traumatic event
Sexualised drawings or written
stories

Risk taking behaviour triggered by

previous experience of trauma
Fear of trauma reoccurrence
Lowered self-esteem
Lack of concentration and memory
loss
Speech or cognitive delays
Factual and accurate memory may
be embellished by elements of fear
or wishes
Flashbacks of traumatic events
Wish for revenge and action
oriented responses triggered by
trauma
Concerned about personal
responsibility for trauma

Feelings of shame, guilt and

humiliation
Eating disorders/disturbances
Sleep disturbance, nightmares
Distant and withdrawn
Depressed
Spacey, distractible, blanking out,
loss of ability to concentrate
Challenging behaviours
Substance abuse
Aggressive/violent behaviour
Self-harming eg. cutting, burning
Suicidal ideation
Hurting animals, fire lighting

Flight into activity and involvement

with others or retreat from others in
order to manage inner turmoil
Pessimistic and vulnerable to
withdrawal
Adulthood seen as a way of
escaping impact and memory of
trauma
Fear of growing up and need to stay
in family orbit
Loss of, or reduced capacity to
attune with caregiver
Acute distress when encountering
any reminder of trauma

9 12
years

12 18
years

Trauma Impacts

Fear of trauma reoccurrence

Lowered self-esteem
Loss of concentration and memory
Speech or cognitive delays
Risk taking behaviour triggered by
previous experience of trauma
Sleep disturbance due to intrusive
imagery
Detailed memory of traumatic
events
Wish for revenge and action
oriented responses triggered by
trauma
Fearful of closeness and love

Page 10

Sexual development in children

Traffic Light Model
The following model can be used to help parents and carers to assess if a child is
displaying normal or concerning sexual development behaviours.
Green: Sexual behaviours that are considered normal, healthy, spontaneous, curious,
light-hearted, easily distracted, experimental, and that are in line with age and ability level.
Action: opportunity to give the child or adolescent positive feedback and information.
Yellow: Sexual behaviours that are outside the norm in terms of persistence, frequency or
disparity in age/development.
Action: gather more information to assess the most appropriate action.
Red: Sexual behaviours outside the norm behaviour that is excessive, secretive,
compulsive, coercive or degrading.
Action: requires immediate intervention and action.
When using the traffic light model it is important to remember the model is evidence
based and outlines what research shows is normal and irregular sexual behaviours in
children at various ages and stages of development.

Considerations
There are various influences on childrens sexual behaviour and development, including:

Parents and family relationships

Media - television, internet, radio, magazines, etc
Peer relationships
How adults treat each other
Childrens services
School environments
Cultural background and norms

Social overlays or judgements should be managed carefully in order to appropriately

respond to the behaviours in the first instance.
When assessing a childs sexualised behaviour it is important to consider the following
variables:

Is the behaviour age appropriate or concerning?

What is the context of the behaviour?
What is the age difference and relationship between children?
What is the vulnerability of the child? (age, cognitive ability, socio economic status)

Page 11

0 5 Years
Green

Thumb-sucking, body-stroking, genital holding

Curious - wants to touch others private parts, e.g. when in bath
Games, e.g. doctor/nurse, show me yours, Ill show you mine
Enjoyment being nude, using slang language for toilet functions

Yellow

Preoccupation with adult sexual behaviour

Preoccupation with touching others genitals
Use of adult sexual language
Peeping at others private body parts, pulling others pants down/skirt up
Sexualised play with dolls

Red

Simulation of foreplay/sexual behaviour in play

Persistent masturbation, touching or attempting to touch others genitals
Sexual behaviour between children involving penetration with objects
Forcing other children to engage in sexual play

5 - 9 Years

Green

Self-touching, masturbation to self-soothe

Increased curiosity about other childrens genitals and adult sexuality
(e.g babies, gender differences)
Using toilet words, body parts as swear words to be silly, telling dirty jokes
Increased sense of privacy about bodies

Yellow

Red

Persistent/recurrent questions about sexual activity

Writing sexually threatening notes
Engaging in mutual masturbation
Constant public touching of own genitals
Use of adult language to discuss sex i.e., do I look sexy?
Persistent use of dirty words

Persistent masturbation, especially in front of others

Sexual behaviours engaging younger/less able children (e.g. sneaking into
room of sleeping younger children to touch or engage in sexual play
Simulation of sexual acts sophisticated for age e.g. oral sex
Persistent sexual themes in talk, play, art, etc

9 - 12 Years

Green

Use of sexual language and dirty words/jokes with peers

Having girlfriends/boyfriends; consensual kissing with known peers
Some exhibitionism e.g. flashing/mooning to same age peers
Increased need for privacy
Occasional masturbation
Use of internet to chat online

Yellow

Sudden change in behavior or dress

Mixing with new and/or older people
Bullying involving sexual aggression
Pseudo maturity, inappropriate knowledge, discussion of sexuality
Preoccupation with online chat or pornography
Persistent expression of fear of pregnancy or STIs
Mutual masturbation, preoccupation with masturbation

Red

Persistent masturbation, particularly in front of others

Sexual activity, oral sex, intercourse, coercion of others into sexual acts
Sending nude/sexually provocative images of self or others online
Degradation/humiliation of self or others using sexual themes
Presence of STI
Penetration of children, animals, dolls or other objects

Page 12

13 - 18 Years

Green

Yellow

Red

Sexually explicit conversations with peers; obscenities/jokes within norm

Solitary masturbation
Interest in erotica
Use of internet to chat online
Sexual activity: flirting, hugging, kissing, foreplay, hand-holding,
consensual oral sex, intercourse with partner of similar age and
development

Sexual preoccupation
Anxiety interferes with daily function
Preoccupation with pornography, online chat, meeting online
acquaintance
Sexually aggressive themes, obscenities or graffiti
Peeping, exposing, non-consensual sexual touch, violation of others
space
Unsafe sexual behaviour i.e. unprotected, intoxicated, multiple partners
Compulsive masturbation (especially chronic or public)
Degradation of self or others with sexual themes
Preoccupation with sexually aggressive pornography
Sexual harassment, attempt or force others to expose genitals
Sexual contact or talk with others of a significantly different age
developmental status
Sending nude or sexually provocative images of self to others online
Genital injury to self or others
Sexual penetration or contact with animals

Traffic Lights: Family Planning Queensland (2006), adapted from the Child at Risk Assessment Unit (2000).
Age Appropriate Sexual Play and Behaviour in Children

Page 13

Parents share the

responsibility for
bringing up their
children and
should always
consider what
is best for each
child.

United Nations Convention on

the Rights of the Child
ARTICLE 1 (Definition Of The Child)
Everyone under 18 years of age has all the
rights in this Convention.

groups and organisations, as long as this

does not stop other people from enjoying
their rights.

ARTICLE 2 (Non-discrimination)
The Convention applies to all children;
whatever their race, religion, abilities,
wherever they come from, or whether they
are a boy or girl.

ARTICLE 16 (Privacy)
Children have the right to privacy. The law
should protect them from attacks against
their way of life, their good name, their
family and their home.

ARTICLE 3 (Best interests of the child)

The best interests of children must be the
primary concern in making decisions that
may affect them. All adults should do what
is best for children

ARTICLE 17 (Access to information)

Children have the right to information that
is important to their development and
wellbeing. Mass media such as television,
radio and newspapers should provide
information that children can understand
and should not promote materials that could
harm children.

ARTICLE 4 (Protection of rights)

Governments should make sure these rights
are respected, protected and fulfilled
ARTICLE 5 (Parental guidance)
Governments should respect the rights and
responsibilities of families to guide their
children so that, as they grow up, they learn
to use their rights properly.
ARTICLE 6 (Survival & development)
Children have the right to live a full life.
Governments should ensure that children
survive and develop healthily.
ARTICLE 7 (Identity & belonging)
Children have the right to a legally registered
name and nationality. Children also have
the right to know their parents and, as far as
possible, to be cared for by them.
ARTICLE 8 (Preservation of identity)
Governments should respect a childs right to
a name, a nationality and family ties.
ARTICLE 9 (Separation from parents)
Children have the right to live with their
parent(s), unless it is bad for them. Children
whose parents do not live together have the
right to stay in contact with both parents,
unless this might hurt the child.
ARTICLE 10 (Family reunification)
Families who live in different countries
should be allowed to move between those
countries so that parents and children can
stay in contact or reunify as a family.
ARTICLE 11 (Kidnapping)
Governments should take steps to stop
children being taken out of their own
country illegally.
ARTICLE 12 (Respect childs opinion)
Children have the right to say what they
think should happen when adults are making
decisions that affect them and to have their
opinions taken into account
ARTICLE 13 (Freedom of expression)
Children have the right to get and to share
information, as long as the information is
not damaging to them or to others.
ARTICLE 14 (Freedom of beliefs)
Children have the right to think and believe
what they want and to practise their religion,
as long as they are not stopping other
people from enjoying their rights. Parents
should guide children on these matters.
ARTICLE 15 (Freedom of association)
Children have the right to meet with other
children and young people and to join

ARTICLE 18 (Parental responsibilities)

Both parents share responsibility for bringing
up their children and should always consider
what is best for each child. Governments
should help parents by providing services to
support them.
ARTICLE 19 (Protection from violence)
Governments should ensure that children
are properly cared for and protect them
from violence, abuse and neglect by their
parents, or anyone else who cares for them.
ARTICLE 20 (Out-of-home care)
Children who cannot be looked after by their
own family must be looked after properly
by people who respect their religion, culture
and language.
ARTICLE 21 (Adoption)
When children are adopted, the first concern
must be what is best for them. The same
rules should apply whether children are
adopted in the country of their birth or if
they are taken to live in another country.
ARTICLE 22 (Refugee children)
Children who come into a country as
refugees should have the same rights as
children who are born in that country.
ARTICLE 23 (Children with disabilities)
Children who have any kind of disability
should receive special care and support so
that they can live a full and independent life.
ARTICLE 24 (Health)
Children have the right to good quality
health care, clean water, nutritious food and
a clean environment.
ARTICLE 25 (Review of treatment in care)
Children who are looked after by local
authorities rather than their parents should
have their situation reviewed regularly.
ARTICLE 26 (Social security)
Children have the right to financial help from
the government if they are poor or in need.
ARTICLE 27 (Adequate living standards)
Children have the right to a standard of
living that is good enough to meet their
physical and mental needs. The government
should help families who cannot afford to
provide this.
ARTICLE 28 (Education)
Children have the right to an education.
Discipline in schools should respect
childrens dignity. Young people should be

encouraged to reach the highest level of

education of which they are capable.
ARTICLE 29 (Goals of education)
Childrens education should develop each
childs personality, talents and abilities to
the fullest. It should encourage children to
respect the rights of others and their own.
ARTICLE 30 (Children of minorities)
Children have the right to learn and use
the language and customs of their families,
whether or not these are shared by the
majority of the people in the country where
they live, as long as it does not harm others.
ARTICLE 31 (Leisure, play and culture)
Children have the right to relax, play and to
join in a wide range of leisure activities..
ARTICLE 32 (Child labour)
Governments should protect children from
work that is dangerous or that might harm
their health, education. or wellbeing
ARTICLE 33 (Drug abuse)
Governments should use all means possible
to protect children from dangerous drugs.
ARTICLE 34 (Sexual abuse)
Governments should protect children from
all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation.
ARTICLE 35 (Abduction & trafficking)
Governments should make sure that
children are not abducted or sold.
ARTICLE 36 (Exploitation)
Children should be protected from any
activity that could harm their development.
ARTICLE 37 (Detention & punishment)
Children who break the law should not be
treated cruelly. They should not be put in
a prison with adults and should be able to
keep in contact with their family.
ARTICLE 38 (War & armed conflict)
Governments should not allow children
under 15 to join the army. Children in war
zones should receive special protection.
ARTICLE 39 (Rehabilitation of child victims)
Children who have been abused or
neglected should receive special help to
recover and restore their self-respect.
ARTICLE 40 (Juvenile justice)
Children who are accused of breaking the
law should receive legal help. Governments
are required to set a minimum age below
which children cannot be held criminally
responsible.
ARTICLE 41 (National laws)
If the laws of a country protect children
better than the articles of the Convention,
then those laws should override the
Convention.
ARTICLE 42 (Knowledge of rights)
Governments should make the Convention
known to all parents and children.
ARTICLES 43 TO 54 54 (Implementation
measures)
These articles discuss how governments and
international organisations like Child Wise
should work to ensure children are protected
in their rights.

Page 14

Child Safe screening legislation

in each State & Territory
Jurisdiction

Act

Type of program

VIC

Working With Children Act

2005

Individuals are required to apply for a Working

With Children Check. Valid for 5 years,
the check entitles individuals to engage in
child-related organisations, occupations,
volunteering and practical training. The WWCC
Act was amended in 2014 and is now seen as a
minimum standard in Victoria.

NSW

Child Protection (Working

with Children) Act 2012

The NSW Working With Children Check

resulted in a move from an employer
driven point-in-time system to a system
where individuals, including volunteers, are
responsible for their own application for
certification. Employers operating within a
child-related industry are required to register
online with the NSW Office of the Childrens
Guardian and to subsequently conduct online
verification of new paid employees clearance.
Existing paid workers and all volunteers (new
and current) also need to have clearance
validated online as they are phased in to the
new check system. The check is valid for 5
years and subject to ongoing monitoring.

QLD

Commission for Children

and Young People and
Child Guardian Act 2000

Individuals are required to apply for a Working

With Children Check, known as a Blue Card
in Queensland. Valid for 2 years, Blue Cards
entitle individuals to engage in child-related
occupations and volunteering. Organisations
providing child-related services must also have
policies and procedures in place to identify and
minimise risk of harm to children, which are
monitored by the Commissions for Children
and Young People and Child Guardian.

WA

Working with Children

(Criminal Record Checking)
Act 2004

Individuals are required to apply for a Working

With Children Check. Valid for 3 years, the
check entitles individuals to engage in childrelated occupations and volunteering.

SA

Childrens Protection Act

1993

The South Australian system is an employer

driven point-in-time system requiring
employers and responsible authorities to
obtain National Police Checks and conduct
wider screening assessment for those engaging
in child-related occupations and volunteering.

Page 15

Jurisdiction

Act

Type of program

ACT

Working with Vulnerable

People (Background
Checking) Act 2011

The ACT Working with Vulnerable People

Background Check requires that individuals
engaging in regulated activities or services,
including where these are provided to children,
must be registered. A statutory Screening
Unit within the Office of Regulatory Services,
Justice and Community Safety Directorate is
responsible for applications for registration.
The registration is valid for 3 years and is
subject to ongoing monitoring. There are
three types of registration administered to
individuals under the Working with Vulnerable
People Background Check: general registration,
which is transferable across all roles and
organisations; role-based registration; and
conditional registration.

NT

Care and Protection of

Children Act 2007

Individuals are required to apply for a Working

With Children Check, known as an Ochre Card
in the NT. The Ochre Card, which is also known
as a Clearance Notice, is valid for 2 years and
applies to employers and volunteers in childrelated employment settings.

TAS

Education and Care

Services National Law
(Application) Act 2011

The Good Character Check screening program

requires that staff members, volunteers and
students on practicum placement obtain a
security screen clearance in order to engage
in work with regulated education and care
services only. The Good Character Check
includes consideration of crimes of violence;
sex-related offences; serious drug offences;
crimes involving dishonesty; and serious
traffic offences. Employers in other childrelated work may require police checks at their
discretion.

Page 16

Child safe screening systems

used in each State & Territory
Jurisdiction

Information considered

VIC

The Working With Children Check is comprised of:

A National Police Check - offences with most significance include serious
sexual offences, serious violent offences, serious drug related offences,
offences against the Working with Children Act 2005.
A review of relevant findings from prescribed professional disciplinary
bodies.
Information sought from other bodies, such as courts, the Director of
Public Prosecutions and any employee within the meaning of the Public
Administration Act 2004, Corrections Victoria and employers. It Includes
where a court made a formal finding of guilt in relation to an offence,
convicted the applicant of an offence, accepted a plea of guilt from the
applicant, or acquitted the applicant of an offence because of mental
impairment.
Information about any spent convictions, juvenile convictions and findings
of guilt, pending charges, and the circumstances surrounding any charges
or convictions.
In addition, the following individuals are ineligible to apply for a Working With
Children Check:
Registered sex offenders within the meaning of the Sex Offenders
Registration Act 2004, or subject to an extended or interim extended
supervision order under the Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act 2005.
Individuals subject to a detention order, including an interim detention
order or a supervision order, including an interim supervision order under
the Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009.

QLD

The Blue Card screening system is comprised of:

A National Police Check.
Consideration of any charge or conviction for an offence, whether or not a
conviction is recorded.
Consideration of whether a person is a respondent to or subject to an
application for a child protection prohibition or disqualification order;
or whether a person is subject to reporting obligations under the Child
Protection (Offender Reporting) Act 2004.
Disciplinary information from professional organisations associated with
teachers, childcare service providers, foster carers, nurses, midwives and
certain health practitioners.
Information from police investigations into allegations of serious childrelated offences will be taken into account, even if no charges were laid
because the child was unwilling or unable to proceed.

Page 17

Jurisdiction

Information considered

NSW

The Working With Children Check is comprised of:

A National Police Check for charges and convictions (including spent
convictions) for any sexual offence (including but not limited to, sexual
assault, acts of indecency, child pornography, child sexual exploitation and
carnal knowledge); any assault, ill treatment, neglect of, or psychological
harm to a child; any registrable offence; offences of attempting, or of
conspiracy or incitement, to commit any of the above offences.
Consideration of whether any of the above offences were committed
in New South Wales and were punishable by penal servitude or
imprisonment for 12 months or more; or whether any of the above
offences were committed elsewhere and would have been an offence
punishable by penal servitude or imprisonment for 12 months or more if
the offence had been committed in New South Wales.
Consideration of relevant matters, including all matters irrespective of
whether they are considered spent or were committed as a juvenile
(relevant matters include charges that may not have been heard or finalised
by a court; are proven but have not led to a conviction; or have been
dismissed, withdrawn or discharged by a court).
Consideration of relevant Apprehended Violence Orders.
Consideration of relevant employment proceedings, reportable conduct,
any sexual offences or sexual misconduct committed against, with, or in
the presence of a child, including a child pornography offence; any childrelated personal violence offence; any assault, ill treatment or neglect
of a child; any behaviour that causes psychological harm to a child; or an
act of violence committed by an employee in the course of employment
and in the presence of a child. As part of an additional risk assessment,
the Childrens Guardian may give consideration to a range of different
factors regarding previous matters that triggered the risk assessment. The
Childrens Guardian may also consider any other matters deemed necessary
for an assessment to be made.

WA

The Working With Children Check is comprised of:

Relevant national criminal record information to see if the applicant has
charges or convictions that indicate that he or she may be of harm to a
child (relevant criminal records include information about convictions
for any offence, whether committed as an adult or a juvenile; any spent
convictions; any pending charge for a Class 1 or Class 2* offence; and any
charge that has been finalised by a court for a Class 1 or Class 2 offence but
which did not result in a conviction).
Information may also be obtained from authorised bodies in WA and
similar authorities in other states and territories, such as the police, the
Director of Public Prosecutions, the Department of Corrective Services, the
Department of the Attorney General and courts.
* Class 1 and 2 offences include various sexual offences against a child, as well
as offences such as murder, manslaughter, grievous bodily harm, indecent
assault, making/viewing child pornography and involvement in child sexual
exploitation and other offences.

Page 18

Jurisdiction
SA

Information considered
Under the Childrens Protection Regulations 2010, the Department of
Communities and Social Inclusion provides a wider screening assessment
which includes:
A National Police Check.
South Australian Police information regarding alleged offences regardless
of outcome, including spent convictions; pending charges and nonconviction charges; and circumstantial information around charges and
convictions.
Information from other jurisdictions.
Information sourced from professional registration bodies.

ACT

The Vulnerable People Background Check is comprised of:

A risk assessment conducted by the Commissioner for Fair Trade, which
can include checking for charges and convictions, whether committed in
the ACT or elsewhere for any sexual offence; offence against the person;
offence involving violence; offence involving dishonesty or fraud; offence
relating to property; offence involving possession of or trafficking in a drug
of dependence or controlled drug; an offence against an animal; and a
driving offence.
Consideration is given to non-conviction information in relation to a
relevant offence (or an alleged relevant offence) involving the following:
where a person has been charged with the offence but a proceeding is not
finalised; the charge has lapsed, been withdrawn or discharged, or struck
out; the person has been acquitted of an alleged offence; a conviction
for an alleged offence has been quashed or set aside; an infringement
notice for an alleged offence has been served, or the person has a spent
conviction for the offence.
Consideration may also be given to apprehended violence orders; care
and protection orders for a child for whom the person has or had parental
responsibility; and professional disciplinary proceedings against the person.

NT

The Working with Children Clearance Screening (Ochre Card) is comprised of:
A National Police Check - offences of most significance included sexual
offences involving children, violent offences involving children and drug
related offences involving children.
An analysis of employment history, including an assessment of references
and/or disciplinary proceedings instigated as a result of malpractice.
Other material, which may include assessing whether an individual has
attempted to change behaviours or address triggers to behaviours if they
have a criminal history.

Page 19

Reporting child abuse

Children have a right to protection from being hurt, and from violence, abuse and neglect.
No one likes to think of children being abused, but unfortunately child abuse is a reality.
It is important that all those involved with children or young people are alert to the
possibility of abuse and know what to do if they have concerns about a childs safety or
welfare.
In Australia, state and territory governments are responsible for receiving reports of
suspected child maltreatment from members of the public. Anyone who suspects, on
reasonable grounds, that a child or young person is at risk of being neglected or physically,
sexually or emotionally abused, should report it to the authority in their state or territory.

How do I know if a child is at risk of abuse?

Abuse can take many forms physical, emotional, sexual, neglect. You may see suspicious
marks or bruises, you may notice a change in the childs behaviour, or a child may say
something directly about ill treatment.

What should I do if I am worried about a child?

If you think a child may be suffering (or has suffered) abuse or neglect, you must take
action the safety and welfare of the child must come first and may depend on you
reporting your concerns.

Act promptly, particularly in cases of suspected abuse or neglect which could be life
threatening.
Make a confidential, factual record of what you have seen or heard. Do this at the time
of the event. Have this record with you when you make a report.
Contact your local Child Protection agency or Child Wise.

When should I make a report to Child Protection?

A child makes a disclosure of sexual or physical abuse.

A child has a concerning or suspicious physical injury.
Contact your local Child Protection agency or Child Wise.

When should I contact the Police?

If you believe a child to be in life threatening or imminent danger.

It is important to note that in all states and territories of Australia, certain groups of
people are required by law to report any suspicion of abuse and neglect of a child. Further
guidelines regarding mandatory reporting can be found in Mandatory Reporting of Child
Abuse and Neglect (http://www.aifs.gov.au/cfca/pubs/factsheets/a141787/index.html).

Page 20

Child Protection authorities

State
VIC

Reporting
authority
Department of
Human Services
Children, Youth and
Families
www.dhs.vic.gov.au

Phone

Address

Metropolitan
East: 1300 360 391
South: 1300 655 795
North & West: 1300 664 977

Level 9
50 Lonsdale St
Melbourne, 3000

Rural
Barwon South Western:
1800 075 599
Gippsland:
1800 020 202
Grampians: 1800 000 551
Hume: 1800 650 227
Loddon Mallee:
1800 675 598
After hours (all regions)
131 278

NSW

QLD

Department
of Family and
Community
Services
www.facs.nsw.gov.au

All hours
132 111

Department of
Communities
Child Safety and
Disability Services
- Child Safety
Services
www.communities.
qld.gov.au

During business hours

South East: 1300 679 849
South West: 1300 683 390
Far North: 1300 684 062
North: 1300 706 147
North Coast: 1300 703 921
Brisbane: 1300 682 254
Central: 1300 703 762

219-241
Cleveland St
Redfern, 2016
Locked Bag 10
Strawberry Hills,
2012
111 George St
Brisbane, 4000
PO Box 806
Brisbane, 4002

After hours (all regions)

1800 177 135

WA

Department for
Child Protection
www.dcp.wa.gov.au

During business hours

(08) 9222 2555
1800 622 258 (toll free)
After hours
(08) 9223 1111
1800 199 008 (toll free)
If you are a mandatory
reporter:
1800 708 704 (24 hours)

189 Royal St
East Perth, 6004
PO Box 6334
East Perth, 6892

Page 21

State

Reporting
authority

Phone

Address

Department for
Education and Child
Development
www.families.sa.gov.
au

All hours
131 478

Department of
Human Services
Child and Youth
Protection Services
www.humanservices.
gov.au

All hours
1300 556 729

NT

Department of
Children and
Families
www.childrenand
families.nt.gov.au

All hours
1800 700 250

PO Box 40596
Casuarina, 0810

TAS

Department of
Health and Human
Services - Child
Protection Services
www.dhhs.tas.gov.au

All hours
1300 737 639

GPO Box 125

Hobart, 7001

SA

ACT

31 Flinders St
Adelaide, 5000
GPO Box 1152
Adelaide, 5001

If you are a mandatory

reporter:
1300 556 728

219-241
Cleveland St
Redfern, 2016
Locked Bag 10
Strawberry Hills,
2012

Page 22

Support services
If a child is in immediate danger, contact the Police on 000
Other Support
Services
Child Wise
National Child
Abuse Helpline
Australian Federal
Police
Kids Helpline
Life Line
Parentline
Child FIRST

Location

Phone

Website

1800 99 10 99

www.childwise.org.au

+61 262 233 000

www.afp.gov.au

1800 551 800

www.kidshelp.com.au

13 11 14

www.lifeline.org.au

13 22 89

www.parentline.com.au

1300 775 160

(Victoria)

www.dhs.vic.gov.au

Email
[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Hospital

Phone

Address

Royal Childrens
Hospital

(03) 9345 5522

50 Flemington Rd
Parkville, 3052

Sydney NSW

The Childrens Hospital

at Westmead

(02) 9845 0000

212 Hawkesbury Rd
Westmead, 2145

Brisbane, QLD

Royal Brisbane and

Womens Hospital

(07) 3646 8111

Butterfield st
Herston, 4006

Princess Margaret
Hospital for Children

(08) 9340 8222

Roberts Rd
Subiaco, 6008

Adelaide, SA

Womens and Childrens

Hospital

(08) 8161 7000

72 King William Rd
North Adelaide, 5006

Canberra, ACT

Centenary Hospital for

Women and Children

(02) 6244 2712

AH: (02) 6244 2222

Hospital Rd
Tiwi, 2605

Darwin, NT

Royal Darwin Hospital

(08) 8922 8888

Rocklands Dr
Casuarina, 0810

Hobart TAS

Royal Hobart Hospital

(03) 6222 8308

48 Liverpool St
Hobart, 7000

Melbourne, VIC

Perth, WA

Page 24

PO Box 1117, South Melbourne, Vic, 3205

Phone: (03) 9645 8911 Fax: (03) 9645 8922

www.childwise.org.au