(1) This Procedure is effective from 1 July 2022. (2) This Procedure outlines the process that students, staff and associates are required to follow when they have concerns about the safety of a person under the age of 18 (‘child’). (3) This Procedure applies to all students, staff and associates of the University. (4) This Procedure is pursuant to the Child Safety policy. (5) This Procedure includes information on how to report child abuse concerns within the University and to external authorities. It does not supersede legislative reporting requirements and is intended to be complementary to those requirements. (6) Students, staff or associates may have reasonable grounds for believing a child who is a student or visitor or who comes to the attention of a staff member, student or associate in the course of their employment, study, research or other connection to the University, is in need of protection, including in any of the following circumstances: (7) Students, staff and associates must respect confidentiality and comply with the Privacy policy when dealing with suspected child abuse. Details of the case and the identity of the child and their family may only be discussed with those directly involved in the management of the child’s situation and to meet the reporting obligations set out in this Procedure and in the legislation. Advice may be sought from the Privacy Officer via privacy@deakin.edu.au. (8) The Children, Youth and Families Act 2005, imposes an obligation on medical practitioners, nurses, midwives, psychologists, social workers, youth or child workers (welfare/justice), teachers, school principals and police officers to make a report to Child Protection if, while acting in the course of their employment or professional duties, they reasonably form the belief that a child is in need of protection. It is a criminal offence to not comply. (9) All adults in Victoria are required to report sexual crimes against children (under the age of 16) to police under section 327 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic). It is a criminal offence to not comply. (10) Deakin Child Safe Advisers are staff who volunteer to be responsible for: (11) Reporting to a Child Safe Adviser does not remove legal obligations to report concerns to Child Protection and/or Police. Staff can contact a Child Safe Advisers via the contact details listed on the Child Safety DeakinHub site. (12) The Deakin Child Safe Adviser is responsible for appropriately actioning the disclosure, including where relevant: (13) In a situation of grave and immediate life threatening risk to a child, staff, students and associates must notify police immediately by telephone on 000. (14) If there is a risk to the immediate safety of a child (non-life-threatening), staff, students or associates should immediately telephone Child Protection in their local government area (business hours) or the Child Protection Crisis Line after hours on 13 12 78. If the life-threatening or other immediate risk is occurring on campus, they should also telephone Deakin Security on 1800 062 579. Child Protection will only investigate if the abuse is by an adult against a child aged under 16 years. (15) In relation to all child abuse concerns, staff, students and associates must: (16) Staff may seek support from their manager or supervisor in reporting their child abuse concern or from a Deakin Child Safe Adviser. (17) Students, staff or associates who are aged under 18 years and are concerned about their own safety are encouraged to seek help and support by contacting a Deakin Child Safe Adviser. (18) Further information for Deakin staff is located on the Child Safety DeakinHub site. (19) There are no definitions arising under this Procedure.Child Safety and Child Abuse Response and Reporting procedure
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Section 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Policy
Section 5 - Procedure
Child abuse reporting obligations
Identifying child abuse
Mandatory Reporting Requirements
Role of Deakin Child Safe Advisers
How to report child abuse concerns
How to seek support
Section 6 - Definitions
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