Child Protection and Domestic Violence Acts in Northern Territory

Running head: LAW AND SOCIAL WORK
Law and Social Work
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1LAW AND SOCIAL WORK
The term ‘child neglect and abuse’ are associated with domestic violence that are may be
used to define any form of emotional, sexual or physical actions that have resulted in injury or
harm to the child. It refers to the circumstances where there are protective issues associated with
the child and the person responsible for causing such injury or neglect is a family member,
parent or any other person who is responsible for taking care of the child. The Care and
protection of Children Act 2007, governs the offences that are committed against children in
Northern Territory. Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) deals with domestic violence
incidents committed against children within northern territory. In both cases, the child protection
workers are obligated to provide an invaluable service to then children, communities and
families. This essay discusses about the primary role of a child protection officer in ensuring
protection to children subjected to any form of abuse within the Northern territory with respect to
children in Darwin. The paper also highlights the strengths and shortcomings that are associated
with the legislation in ensuring protection to children being subjected to domestic violence in
Darwin.
The primary role of a child protection officer is to ensure safety of the child and
safeguard them from any form of physical, emotional or sexual injury. In Australia, the child
protection officer is statutorily obligated to respond to serious concerns regarding the safety and
welfare of young people under the Care and protection of Children Act 2007 and other child
protection legislations that are in force in different territories of the country. They are also
responsible for reviewing and making necessary recommendations with respect to the care and
supervising the children.

2LAW AND SOCIAL WORK
A child protection worker usually works with young people, families and children that
are in vulnerable state or are under a crisis. One of the essential roles of the child protection
officer is to develop and maintain strong relationship and cooperatively work with the other
agencies in order to render services that fulfill the intricate and diverse needs of the vulnerable
children and family (Nt.gov.au., 2018). Such diverse needs include education, criminal justice,
mental health, housing and homelessness, domestic and family violence, aboriginal community
services as well as refugee services, training and employment.
In Northern Territory, [section 4] of the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007
(NT) aims at promoting the welfare of children, which includes ensuring protection of the
children from exploitation and harm thus, maximizing the opportunities for children to recognize
their full potential. Under section [6] of the Act, any person who performs responsibilities under
this statute must abide by principles set out under sections [7-12] of the Act.
However, in case of domestic violence committed against children within northern
territory, the Domestic and Family Violence Act 2007 (NT) shall deal with such offences. In
Darwin, the Greater Darwin Network against Domestic and Family Violence is responsible for
reporting any suspected abuse or domestic violence incidents that has occurred against children
and family.
The impact of the Child Protection Act 2007 and Domestic and Family Violence Act
2007 (NT) the towards safeguarding children subjected to neglect or abuse or domestic violence,
particularly, by their parents or primary caregivers can be illustrated from the domestic violence
to which children are subjected to in Darwin, Northern Territory. For instance, recently there

3LAW AND SOCIAL WORK
have been reports of an incline in the child abuse, especially, in the form of domestic violences
in Northern Territory. Most of the complaints involved neglect and emotional abuse.
Under Domestic and Family Violence Act, the court and the police may issue a Domestic
Violence Order (DVO) to safeguard the person being subjected to such domestic violence. If a
child is reported to be being subjected to domestic violence, the same must be reported to police
or Department of Families and Children.
The Child Protection Act stipulates that any person who reasonably believes that any
child below 18 years is likely to suffer exploitation or harm or has been a victim of a sexual
offence in the context of special care relationship.
The statute thus, obligates a child protection officer to ensure that a child is treated with
respect dignity and his decision-making as well as his privacy should be respected under section
[9] of the Act. Further, the child protection officer must also ensure that a child protection officer
must ensure best interests of the child (Klevens et al., 2015). The government, protection officer
as well as other authorities while discharging their respective functions must consider the need to
safeguard the children from any form of exploitation or harm under section [10] of the Act.
Further, [section 11] of the Act binds the protection officer to provide adequate
information to the child while making any decision for the child in such a manner that its
comprehensive to the child. The child must be provided with an opportunity to respond to the
needs and wishes of the child as well while undertaking any decision on the behalf of such child.
Under section [11(b)], such wishes and opinions of the child with respect to such decisions
should be comprehended based on the understanding and maturity of the child