Content warning: This page includes descriptions of abuse and may be distressing to read. Information on how to access support for any issues it may raise for you is available at wellbeing support for school staff.
As a school staff member, you may be the only adult in a position to identify child abuse in the community.
Child abuse in the community can take many forms:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- grooming
- child sexual exploitation
- emotional or psychological abuse
- neglect.
There are other ways that a child can experience abuse, including crimes related to:
- forced marriage
- change or suppression (conversion) practices
- exposure to violent extremism.
Multiple types of abuse can occur at the same time.
See types of child abuse and what to look for.
A student can encounter many different adults in the community who could be a source of abuse. These include:
- local sports or community club coaches or volunteers
- neighbours
- mental health, NDIS or allied health workers
- tutors or teachers outside the school (for example, academic or extra-curricular activities such as dance or music)
- parents of other students
- youth workers
- members of a local community or faith community
- employers and their employees.
How to identify abuse
You can identify abuse in the community in many ways. You can:
- witness an incident
- receive a disclosure (including information from a third party)
- observe physical or behavioural signs
- see something worrying or problematic online and/or on a student’s device.
Often, observing physical or behavioural signs may be the only indication that a child is being abused. It is critical that you can recognise these signs. There are signs to look out for in both students who are victim to abuse and the people who are committing abuse.
See types of child abuse and what to look for.
If you form a reasonable belief of child abuse by someone in the community, continue the 4 Critical Actions. Start by making a report to Victoria Police, if you believe a crime against a child has been committed.
Other actions you can take
You only need to collect enough information to form a reasonable belief or inform your next steps. Collect information in a safe, reasonable and appropriate way.
For example, do not do anything that increases the risk to the student’s safety or wellbeing, and do not do anything that may compromise a police investigation.
You can use this information to:
- identify abuse
- plan support
- refer to other agencies to help the student and their family get the support they need
- report to other agencies to help them investigate your concern.
Next steps
If you have not identified abuse
You've completed the 4 Critical Actions for now.
Keep monitoring for changes. You can return at any time if you learn new information.
To identify abuse from a different source, see:
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