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.
Note: This page is for non-family violence incidents. When student-to-student abuse is defined as family violence (intimate partner relationships and siblings), see identify abuse in the family.
Identify student-to-student abuse
As a school staff member, you may be the only adult in a position to identify student-to-student child abuse.
Student-to-student abuse can take many forms:
- physical abuse
- sexual abuse
- child sexual exploitation
- emotional or psychological abuse.
There are other ways that a child can experience abuse, including crimes related to exposure to violent extremism.
Multiple types of abuse can occur at the same time.
See types of child abuse and what to look for.
How to identify abuse
You can identify student-to-student child abuse 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, 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 students who are committing abuse.
See types of child abuse and what to look for.
If you form a reasonable belief of student-to-student abuse, continue the 4 Critical Actions to respond. 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.
Ask for advice for matters involving harmful sexual behaviour
If you need advice about harmful sexual behaviour, contact your local sexual assault or harmful sexual behaviour service.
They will provide advice and support to help manage incidents between students.
Next steps
To identify abuse from a different source, see:
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