Commitment to child safety
All children and young people have the right to feel and be safe.
Keeping children safe from harm is everyone’s responsibility.
We’re committed to the safety and empowerment of all children.
We have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.
All allegations and safety concerns are treated seriously and consistently through our policies and procedures.
Our aim is to prevent child abuse by identifying risks. We will take steps, as soon as possible, to remove and reduce those risks. We are committed to ensuring the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
What is reportable conduct?
Under the reportable conduct scheme, reportable conduct includes allegations against workers or volunteers of child abuse and misconduct involving children. A child is a person under the age of 18.
Child abuse means:
- a sexual offence committed against a child,
- an offence committed against a child under section 49M(1) of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), such as grooming,
- physical violence against a child,
- causing serious emotional or psychological harm to a child,
- serious neglect of a child.
Harm is damage to the health, safety or well-being of a child or young person, including as a result of child abuse by adults or the conduct of other children. It includes physical, emotional, sexual and psychological harm. Harm can arise from a single act or event and can also be cumulative, that is, arising as a result of a series of acts or events over a period of time.
How to report allegations of reportable conduct
If there is concern for the immediate safety of a child, call 000.
Any allegations of criminal conduct must be reported to Victoria Police(opens in a new window) as the priority.
Where the allegation involves an employee or contractor of the Department of Transport and Planning, any suspicion of misconduct can be reported to the Integrity and Ethical Behaviour branch of the Department of Transport and Planning.
By telephone:
Manager, Ethical Behaviour on 0448 919 825
By email:
Any suspicion or knowledge of misconduct can also be reported to the Commission for Children and Young People.
Further guidance is available on the website of the Commission for Children and Young People(opens in a new window).
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