Mandatory reporting in relation to suspected cases of child abuse in Australia

Running head: MANDATORY REPORTING
MANDATORY REPORTING
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MANDATORY REPORTING
Introduction
Mandatory reporting is considered as a phrase that is utilized to explain the legislative
obligation in relation to certain groups of individuals in reporting suspected cases of child abuse
to governmental authorities. In the nation of Australia, the different territories and states have
ratified and sanctioned laws regarding mandatory reporting.
Discussion
Development of the law
The relevant law regarding mandatory reporting in relation to child neglect and child
abuse is the Children, Youth and Families Act of the year 2005. The aforementioned Act was
introduced, established and developed in order to deliver an outline and a structure for the
promotion of the welfare of the young individuals and the children. The primary objective of the
aforementioned Act is to provide adequate support, assistance and protection to the children who
all have been the victim of child neglect and child abuse. This Act also provides support and
assistance to the families of such victimized children.
Previously, the laws in this regard involved the Children and Young Persons Act of the
year 1989 and the Community Services Act of the year of 1970. These Acts were merged and
amalgamated and substituted by the present Children, Youth and Families Act of the year 2005.
This particular Act is in existence within the all-embracing and predominant structure of the
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act of the year 2005. The establishment of the amalgamated Act
was supplemented by reforms that went by the name of “every child every chance”.

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The Responsibility of Professionals and other individuals
As per the aforementioned Act, there are certain professionals who all are responsible for
the mandatory reporting regarding child neglect and child abuse. They are as follows:-
 A health expert who is registered
 An individual who is registered as per the provisions of the Nurses Act of the year 1993
 An individual registered as a teacher or obtained the permission to teach as per the
provisions of Victorian Institute of Teaching Act of the year 2001
 An individual who is the principal as per the Education Act of the year 1958
 An individual belonging to the police force
 A psychologist who is registered
 An individual having a post-secondary qualification regarding care for children
 An officer in relation to youth justice
 A certain class of individuals
Procedure regarding the reporting of child abuse
When, any particular mandatory reporter, while performing his or her duties as a
professional, is of the opinion or belief on sensible and rational grounds that neglect and abuse
has been caused to any particular child, then such mandatory reporter must report such incident
to the Secretary of the Department regarding health and human services. Such report must also
be made to Child Protection. The reports regarding child abuse shall be forwarded to any
particular protective intervener, or any other delegated officer in this regard. Reports may be
forwarded only through phone call. Reports cannot be made through any email or website
(Mathews et. al., 2015).

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Ethical principles regarding Mandatory Reporting
The ethical principles regarding mandatory reporting involve issues such as
misinformation regarding child abuse, whether the parents of such child should be involved or
not, problem of confidentiality and professional dilemmas regarding mandatory reporting.
Issue of confidentiality
The aforementioned Act established section 30 as provided in the Crimes Act. This
section mentions that when any particular individual reports a case of child abuse, then no other
individual is permitted to disclose the identification of the individual reporting the incident.

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References
Child Wellbeing and Safety Act, 2005.
Children and Young Persons Act, 1989.
Children, Youth and Families Act, 2005.
Community Services Act, 1970.
Mathews, B. P., Bromfield, L., Walsh, K. M., & Vimpani, G. (2015). Child Abuse and Neglect:
A Socio-legal Study of Mandatory Reporting in Australia-Report for the Victorian
Government. Commonwealth of Australia.