Local Legislation

The Department of Health and Families is responsible for overseeing and upholding child protection in the NT. Numerous Acts (laws) help to govern and guide the process of child protection in the Northern Territory. These acts include:

Principal Acts:

• Care and Protection of Children Act 2007

Other relevant Acts:

• Information Act 2006
• Disability Services Act 2004
• Criminal Code Act 2006
• Family Law Act 1975

For more information on the legislative context of child protection in NT, visit the website of The Department of Health and Families

Reporting Child Abuse

What is reportable?
Outcomes or actions from which children are in need of protection include; neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence and psychological harm. These are all reportable offences.

What are reasonable grounds?
You do not need to have proof to report any concerns you have about the safety of a child under 16 or a young person. Indicators that represent reasonable grounds to report a suspected offence include:

• A child or young person discloses that he or she has suffered or is suffering non accidental physical injury or sexual abuse
• Someone else advises you that a child or young person has been sexually abused or non-accidentally injured, or
• Your own observations of the child or young person's physical condition or behaviours lead you to reasonably suspect that the child or young person has suffered or is suffering non-accidental physical injury or sexual abuse.

For more information, download the Speak Up Guide or call or email one of our qualified staff at Child Wise.

Can anyone report concerns for the safety of a child or young person?
ANY person who believes, on reasonable grounds, that a child is in need of protection may voluntarily report to Child Protection Services.

• You do not have to prove that abuse has taken place. You only need reasonable grounds for your belief.

• You do not need permission from parents or caregivers to make a report; nor do they need to be informed that a report is being made.

• If you made a report in good faith, you cannot be held legally liable - regardless of the outcome of the report.

• Your identity will remain confidential unless you need to give evidence if the matter goes to court. It is rare that this happens.

What is mandatory reporting?
Mandatory reporting describes the legal obligation of certain professionals and community members to report incidences of child sexual abuse. These people are called "mandated reporters" and they MUST report to The Department of Health and Families if they believe on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protections. Penalties may apply to mandated reporters who fail to report suspected abuse.

Who is mandated to report suspected abuse?

Section 26 (1) of the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 imposes a legal responsibility on EVERY PERSON in the Northern Territory to report child abuse and neglect and cases where children have been or are likely to be a victim of sexual offence. It states:

A person is guilty of an offence if the person believes on reasonable grounds any of the following:

• a child has suffered or is likely to suffer harm or exploitation;
• a child aged less than 14 years has been or is likely to be a victim of as sexual offence;
• a child has been or is likely to be a victim of an offence against section 128 of the Criminal Code

and does not as soon as possible after forming that belief, report (orally or in writing) to the CEO or a police officer:

• that belief; and
• any knowledge of the person forming the grounds for that belief; and
• any factual circumstances on which that knowledge is based.

Additionally, Section 26 (2) of the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 states:

A person is guilty of an offence if the person is a health practitioner or someone who performs work of a kind that is prescribed by regulation; and believes on reasonable grounds:

• that a child aged at least 14 years (but less than 16 years) has been or is likely to be a victim of sexual offence; and
• that the difference in age between the child and alleged sexual offender is more than 2 years

and does not, as soon as possible after forming that belief, report (orally or in writing) to the CEO or a police officer:

• that belief; and
• any knowledge of the person forming the grounds for that belief; and
• any factual circumstances on which that knowledge is based.

Registered Health practitioners include: aboriginal health workers, chiropractors, dentists; dental hygienists; dental prosthetists, dental specialists; dental therapists, medical practitioners; midwives; registered nurses authorised to practice midwifery; registered and enrolled nurses, occupation therapists; optometrists; osteopaths; pharmacists; physiotherapists, psychologists and radiographers.

For more information on mandatory reporting of all state and territories go to http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.html

Who to report to and how

The preferred method of reporting harm to children within the Northern Territory is by phone through the Central Intake Team of the Northern Territory Families and Children (NTFC) Division, within the Department of Health and Families on:

1800 700 250 (24 hours and toll free)

If you need to report an offence that requires immediate police attention, please call

Police Emergency: 000

Darwin Police: 08 8922 3344

Alice Springs Police: 08 8951 8888

For a further detailed report on how to report child abuse and neglect go to the Child Abuse section of the Department of Health and Families.

There are also Support Services across NT that can assist and advise you through the process of making a report, and beyond.

Support Services Directory

• Child Protection Services & Police
• Hospitals
• Legal Services
• Sexual Assault Services
• Counselling
• Crisis/Housing Services
• Domestic Violence
• Men's Services

Child Protection Services & Police

Department of Health and Community Services 08 8999 2400

Family and Children's Service: Report Child Abuse 1800 700 250

Darwin 08 8999 4897

East Arnhem 08 8987 0400

Katherine 08 8973 8600

Tennant Creek 08 8962 4334

Alice Springs 08 8951 5170

Northern Territory Police

Darwin 08 8922 3344

Alice Springs 08 8951 8888

SCAAFS (Specialist Child & Adolescent Family Services) 08 8999 4906

Hospitals

Royal Darwin Hospital 08 8922 8888

Alice Springs Hospital 08 8951 7777

Katherine Hospital 08 8973 9211

Legal Services

Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission 1800 019 343
www.ntlac.nt.gov.au

Central Aust. Aboriginal Family Legal Unit 1800 088 884

Central Australian Women's Legal Service 1800 684 055

Domestic Violence Legal Service 08 8941 7940

Darwin Community Legal Service 1800 812 953

North Australian Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service 08 8923 8200

Top End Women's Legal Service 08 8982 3000

National Association of Community Legal Centres www.naclc.org.au

Courtwise is an online pathway through the NSW court system for victims and other witnesses. The information although specific to NSW is useful wherever you are in Australia. The site can help by giving you information about the legal process and letting you know what to expect in court. It is a child and parent friendly resource. www.courtwise.nsw.gov.au

Australian Institute of Criminology www.aic.gov.au

Counselling

Crisis Line (for Adults) 1800 019 116 or 08 8981 9227

NT Crisis Chat Line (for children) 1800 332 333

Kids Help Line 1800 551 800 www.kidshelp.com.au

Parentline 1300 30 1300 www.parentline.com.au

CatholicCare NT 08 8944 2000 www.catholiccarent.org.au

Anglicare (Darwin) 08 8948 2700 www.anglicarewa.com.au

Children's Community Counsellor (Alice Springs) 08 8953 0785

Relationships Australia 08 8981 6676 www.relationships.com.au

Lifeline 13 11 14
www.lifeline.org.au

Sexual Assault Services

Sexual Assault Referral Centre www.nt.gov.au
Alice Springs 08 8951 5880

Darwin 08 8922 7156

Ruby-Gaea House - Sexual assault counselling service 08 8945 0155 www.rubygaea.org.au

Crisis/Housing Services

Alice Springs Women's Shelter 08 8952 6075

Dawn House - Crisis accommodation and support 08 8945 1388

Salvation Army - Family Support Services 08 8952 9815

Alice Springs

Waltja - Aboriginal Family Support Service 08 8953 4488
Alice Springs

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence Service Counselling Service
Alice Springs 08 8952 6048
Darwin 08 8945 6200
Domestic Violence Unit (NT Police) 08 8948 0110

Men's Services

Mensline Australia 1300 78 99 78 www.menslineaus.org.au