(1) Charles Darwin University (‘the University’, ‘CDU’) is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children (understood as individuals under 18 years of age) who are involved in, or may be affected by, University activities. The University is committed to an effective, robust and fair approach to reporting allegations of child exploitation or abuse. (2) This procedure outlines the process that must be followed in responding to, and reporting, suspected or alleged cases of child exploitation or abuse. (3) This procedure applies to all University staff, students, contractors, volunteers and (4) Child exploitation or abuse may reasonably be suspected where: (5) Where a child is believed to be at an immediate risk of exploitation or abuse, this must be immediately reported to the Northern Territory Police Force by telephoning 000 if the reporter reasonably believes that not reporting the risk to police would result in the actual abuse of the child. (6) Where a University student on a placement or practicum activity is aware of any such immediate risk of exploitation or abuse, the placement supervisor or the teacher supervisor must be immediately notified of the risk with a request to report the matter to the police. (7) Where it is reasonably suspected that child exploitation or abuse (including possession of child exploitation material) is occurring on University premises, or in connection with University activities, this must be immediately reported to the Northern Territory Child Protection reporting line 1800 700 250 or to the Northern Territory Police Force by telephoning 000. (8) Where an individual has reported instances of suspected child exploitation or abuse, but becomes aware of additional information, the individual must also report that additional information. (9) Upon learning of an allegation or a disclosure of child exploitation or abuse, the Director People and Culture and/or Director Student Engagement as relevant, will: (10) Where an allegation of child abuse is made against staff, students, contractors, volunteers or authorised visitors, the University may initiate a precautionary action, in accordance with the Code of Conduct - Staff or the Code of Conduct - Students, pending the outcome of either a disciplinary or legal process. Precautionary actions are not penalties and are not intended to prejudice the outcome of a University disciplinary process. (11) Where staff, students, contractors, volunteers or authorised visitors, are found guilty of an offense, then action will be taken under the Code of Conduct – Staff or the Code of Conduct - Students. (12) Any investigation by the University into alleged child exploitation or abuse will be conducted in a way that avoids interference, or perceived interference, with any current external agency process. (13) Where a matter has been reported to the police or an external agency and is subject to a criminal investigation, the University will suspend its internal investigation. (14) When dealing with a case of suspected child exploitation or abuse, confidentiality must be respected and in accordance with the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy and Records and Information Management Policy and Procedure. (15) Only persons directly involved in the management of the relevant child’s situation, and responsible for meeting the relevant reporting obligations, are to be involved in any discussions, or view any information, which might reveal the child’s identity, the identity of the child’s family, details of injury or suspected abuse. (16) Non-compliance with Governance Documents is considered a breach of the Code of Conduct – Staff or the Code of Conduct – Students, as applicable, and is treated seriously by the University. Reports of concerns about non-compliance will be managed in accordance with the applicable disciplinary procedures outlined in the Charles Darwin University and Union Enterprise Agreement 2022 and the Code of Conduct – Students. (17) Complaints may be raised in accordance with the Code of Conduct – Staff and Complaints Policy - Students. (18) All staff members have an individual responsibility to raise any suspicion, allegation or report of fraud or corruption in accordance with the Fraud and Corruption Control Policy and Whistleblower Reporting (Improper Conduct) Procedure.Child Abuse Allegation and Reporting Procedure
Section 1 - Preamble
Section 2 - Purpose
Top of PageSection 3 - Scope
Section 4 - Procedure
Responding to an allegation or disclosure
Confidentiality and record keeping
Section 5 - Non-Compliance
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