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Reporting Harm

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Reporting Harm

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    1. Reporting Harm

    2. Disclosure of Harm Role of Carer

    3. Actions to follow: Find a place to talk with no physical barriers between you and the child. Be on the same eye level as the child. Don’t interrogate or interview the child. Be tactful. Choose your words carefully. Don’t be judgmental about the child or the alleged abuser. Listen to the child. Do not project or assume anything. Let the child tell their own story.

    4. Find out what the child wants from you. Be honest about what you are able to do for the child. Be calm. Reactions of disgust, fear, anger, etc. may confuse or scare the child. Assess the urgency of the situation. Is the child in immediate danger? Safety needs may make a difference to your response. Confirm the child’s feelings. Let them know that it is okay to be scared, confused, sad, or however they are feeling. Believe the child and be supportive.

    5. Assure the child that you care. Let them know that you are still their friend and that they are not to blame. Tell the child it is not their fault. Tell the child that you are glad they told you. Tell the child that you will try to get them some help.

    6. Build a sense of trust by telling the child what you will do. Tell the child that you need to tell someone whose job it is to help with these kinds of problems. Report your suspicions to the person in your service/appropriate agency. Reilly & Martin, 1995.

    8. Protection of Notifier Statutory authorities rely on members of the public reporting their concerns about children. The Child Protection Act 1999 contains two sections that protect notifiers: Protection from liability for notification of, or information given about alleged harm & Confidentiality of notifiers of harm. Child protection officers are prohibited from disclosing notifier details except to others who need this information to perform their duties under the Child Protection Act 1999, or if ordered to do so by a court or tribunal. The child’s family will not be told who provided the information upon which the officers are acting.

    9. Sharing Information It is now commonly recognised that where there is a danger to a child, information must be shared. Goddard 1996 states: ‘In fact, it is unreasonable to withhold information about danger to another person.’

    10. When suspected harm to a child is reported you will be asked for specific details about your concerns: Your contact details. Names and addresses of the child and their family. Anecdotal observations of the child that are evidence of your concerns.

    11. Mandatory Reporting A limited range of people are legally obligated to report any suspected harm to children. This includes medical practitioners (under the Health Act 1937), Family Law Court staff, officers of the Department of Child Safety and employees of children’s services licensed under the Child Protection Act 1999 (eg. residential care facilities). The policy of the children’s service should include directions for workers about how to respond to matters of concern about harm to a child attending their service.

    12. Websites http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/pdf/wwckit/DealingwithIssuesJuly05.pdf http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/ http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/ http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/pdf/publications/resources/working_with_children_kit_brochure.pdf Websites may change over time and need to be checked before using.

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