(1) This Procedure is effective from 23 March 2023. (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) 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. (11) 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. (12) If the incident relates to a student, staff member or associate or arises in the course of employment, study or other connection to the University contact the Deakin Child Safety Officer via child-safety@deakin.edu.au. The Deakin Child Safety Officer (or nominee) will confirm details of the child safety concern. (13) In addition, staff, students and associates must comply with individual applicable mandatory reporting obligations set out in clauses 8 and 9 of this procedure. The Deakin Child Safety Officer (or nominee) can answer any questions in relation to mandatory reporting. (14) Deakin staff and associates are required to notify the Child Safety Officer via child-safety@deakin.edu.au immediately after forming a reasonable belief that a member of the University has engaged in reportable conduct (15) Allegations of reportable conduct may also be made by persons external to the University, in the manner described above. (16) Alternatively a report may be made via the independent and external service Stopline contracted by the University to receive reports from anyone who has knowledge of any unlawful or unethical conduct by a Deakin staff member, student or associate. Reports to Stopline may be made anonymously. (17) Within three business days after becoming aware of a reportable allegation, the Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) will notify the Commission for Children and Young People that a reportable allegation has been made against a member of the University and provide the Commission (within the prescribed period of 30 calendar days) detailed information about the Reportable Allegation and any action taken or proposed by the University. (18) Deakin University will co-operate with any investigation undertaken by Victoria Police, the Commission for Children and Young People or other regulatory body; and will ensure that any internal workplace or student misconduct investigation, aimed at gathering and examining information to establish and make findings in relation to any relevant internal matter, does not interfere with police investigations. (19) The Vice-Chancellor (or nominee) will determine whether (and when) it is appropriate to undertake an internal investigation or refer the matter to an appropriate internal process. An internal investigation would generally be warranted where a student, staff or associate is implicated in the allegation and is still involved with Deakin. If an allegation might involve criminal conduct and has been reported to Victoria Police, Deakin will not start their own investigation until and unless police have provided clearance to commence. (20) Staff may seek support from their manager or supervisor in reporting their child abuse concern or from the Deakin Child Safety Officer via child-safety@deakin.edu.au. (21) 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 the Deakin Child Safety Officer via child-safety@deakin.edu.au. (22) Further information for Deakin staff is located on the Child Safety DeakinHub site. (23) In addition to the definitions contained in the Child Safety Policy: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
Indivudual Mandatory Reporting Obligations
How to report child abuse concerns
Reportable Conduct
How to seek support
Section 6 - Definitions
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