Reporting Laws and Requirements - VIC
- Don’t worry that you have done any harm by reporting and don’t worry about the outcome – because all outcomes are good.
- Child Protection Systems and Child Safety Authorities operate with the best interests of the child and their family guiding their approach.
- Families reacting badly are responsible for their own behaviour. Usually those who react the worst, need help the most.
- Don’t decide whether abuse has occurred – decide whether you have a belief, or suspicion or concerns.
- Not all reports are investigated and there are many ways families can be helped without authoritative or confrontational approaches – and these support services are very effective.
- Bottom line – when you consider what is at stake – the protection of child victims of abuse – you can do no harm by reporting – even if your report was “wrong”.
People worry when deciding whether or not to report about whether abuse has actually occurred or not. They don’t want to make a fuss by reporting if there’s no abuse occurring, or they are worried about upsetting parents and families with reports that turn out to be unfounded. So if you feel this way it’s important that you know that’s normal – but it’s also important that you just get over it!! Whether or not abuse is found, it’s a good outcome.
In today’s child protection systems, there is really no need to have this concern. There are safeguards in place that mean children are not removed from home unless it’s absolutely necessary for their protection – and parents or caregivers are not subjected to harsh or strict approaches by authorities unless that too is absolutely necessary for the protection of the child.
Some families will react badly to being investigated or forced to work with support services but you aren’t responsible for that behaviour. In our experience, those who react the worst normally need help the most.
All you need to do is decide whether you have a concern – you don’t have to decide whether or not the abuse is definitely occurring. Leave that to the experts. So long as you have provided them honestly with the information about your concerns, you have met your legal obligations and have done nothing wrong.
Not all reports will be investigated and there are many ways support and assistance can be provided to families before intrusive approaches are needed with child abuse concerns.
But most importantly – this concern about reporting does not justify leaving even one child to continue suffering abuse. One thing we know for certain about child abuse, is that many children suffer much longer than they should when people in the community fail to take action.