Report: respond to child abuse by an adult engaged by a Catholic school

Victoria Police can:

• investigate the situation
• assess risk
• interview and take statements from key people
• collect evidence
• enforce intervention orders
• make arrests and issue warnings.

Reports should be made as soon as reasonably practicable from when a report is received, as some crimes have a limitation period that may apply.

There is no time limit to report a crime about sexual abuse. Victoria Police will accept and assess all reports, no matter when the alleged crime occurred.

Before engaging with parents and carers, you need clearance from:

• Victoria Police (in situations involving a police response)
• the relevant governing body.

Once you have clearance, you must inform the student’s parents or carers of the matter. This is a critical step. It helps parents or carers support their child in partnership with the school, authorities and support services. Contact the parents or carers as soon as you can. It’s best to do this on the same day once you have clearance from Victoria Police and the relevant governing body.

Victoria Police and the relevant governing body will guide you on how to talk to parents or carers about the allegation, complaint, disclosure or concern. They can also provide you with advice on what information you can share with all impacted students and the wider school community.

Your primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the student. Before engaging with parents and carers consider whether it is safe to do so. Do not engage with the student or their family if:

• it is unsafe. For example, if
  • it is likely to jeopardise a child’s wellbeing or safety or place another person at risk of harm
  • if could adversely affect an investigation
  • timeliness is an issue, such as when there is an immediate risk.
• it is inappropriate. For example, if:
  • a young person is living independently, and their family members no longer have access to their personal information

For more information, follow the guidance on communicating with the family at contacting parents or carers.

If Victoria Police want to interview a student about abuse, schools can follow the guidance at interviews with students at school.

Leave the area where the incident occurred as you found it, until Victoria Police can attend and provide you with further instructions. Victoria Police will tell you what steps you need to take.

Your school must preserve any items that may be of potential forensic value that may later be seized by police. This may include:

• laptops
• other devices
• CCTV footage
• other objects and materials.

See preserving evidence.

Record all steps your school has taken in report. You can use the responding to child abuse template to do this.

See document your actions.

You can still offer support for a student’s wellbeing, even if there is no reportable conduct. See respond to other student wellbeing concerns.

Note: If the adult engaged by the school is also a student’s parent or carer, you may also need to make a report to Child Protection. Refer to respond to abuse in the family.