Reporting abuse and safety-related misconduct

Child abuse

Child abuse or child-safety related misconduct is defined as an act (or series of acts) that endangers a child or young person’s physical or emotional health or development and/or a failure to provide conditions to the extent that the health and development of the child or young person is significantly impaired or placed at risk.

Categories of abuse and maltreatment:

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• grooming
• problematic sexual behaviour of children and young people
• emotional abuse
• spiritual abuse
• family violence
• neglect
• discrimination
• bullying, including cyberbullying

Clergy, employees and volunteers play a vital role in identifying child abuse or child-safety related misconduct and are encouraged to be vigilant in responding to possible indicators or signs, disclosures, allegations and reports, and to take action to support a child or young person who is at risk of or experiencing harm.

Reporting child abuse and safety related misconduct

Any person (e.g. child, young person, adult, priest, employee, volunteer) can make a report in relation to current or historical child abuse or child-safety related misconduct.

All clergy, employees and volunteers are required to make a report if they have formed a ‘reasonable belief’ that a child or young person has experienced abuse, is experiencing abuse or is at risk of harm from child-safety related misconduct.

All concerns, allegations or complaints of current or historical abuse and child-safety related misconduct will be taken seriously, treated with sensitivity, and acted upon consistent with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s moral, ethical and legal obligations.

Depending on the nature of the behaviour that is reported (e.g. a criminal act) the matter will be immediately reported to Victoria Police for action. If the behaviour is deemed child-safety related misconduct (i.e. not criminal behaviour), the matter will be referred for investigation and subsequent disciplinary action, if the matter is substantiated. All child abuse or child-safety related misconduct matters are reported to the Reportable Conduct Scheme (Commission for Children and Young People).

The Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is responsible for coordinating reports of current and historical abuse or child-safety related misconduct and liaising with statutory authorities e.g. Victoria Police, Commission for Children and Young People (Reportable Conduct Scheme).

The PSU will:

• Offer support to the person(s) involved
• Initiate risk management processes to ensure the safety of the person and others, clarify the nature of the complaint to determine relevant reporting requirements
• Report the matter to relevant authorities (i.e. Victoria Police, Child Protection) in accordance with legal requirements and duty of care as soon as possible.
• Wait for clearance before starting an investigation. The PSU will be guided by the recommendations of Victoria Police and/or Child Protection in relation to any action that may be required to promote the safety of those involved and the integrity of an investigation.
• Report the matter to regulatory bodies e.g. the Commission for Children and Young People