Northern Territory

Local Legislation

The Department of Health and Community Services 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:

  • Community Welfare Act 1983

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 Community Services

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 or 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 Child Protection Services 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?
In the Northern Territory ANY person who believes on reasonable grounds that a child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment MUST make a report to Familiy and Children's Services (FaCS) or the Police as soon as possible. This means that is is mandatory for any member of the public to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

In addition to this, the Community Welfare Act 1983 also includes specific reporting provisions in relation to police officers and a person in charge of a hospital. These provisions are as follows:

Section 13(1) of the Act states where a member of the Police Force believes on reasonable grounds that a child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment, he or she:

  • shall, as soon as practicable, notify the Minister of the circumstances and the knowledge that constitutes the reasonable grounds for his or her so believing; and
  • may investigate the circumstances to ascertain if the child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment.

Section 15 of the Act states a person in charge of a hospital who believes, on reasonable grounds, that a child has suffered or is suffering maltreatment:

  • may detain the child in hospital, for the purposes of securing medical examination or treatment for the child, for the period that is reasonably necessary to enable the examination or treatment to be carried out; and
  • if after the medical examination has been carried out the person is still of the belief must, not later than 48 hours after detaining the child, apply for a holding order under section 11A.

See http://www.aifs.gov.au/nch/pubs/sheets/rs3/rs3.html

Who to report to and how
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

If you suspect on reasonable grounds that a child is suffering abuse or neglect or you wish to discuss your concerns about a child or young person, you should telephone

Report child abuse: 1800 700 250
Family and Children services: 1800 700 250

There are also Support Services across NT that can assist and advice 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 where ever 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

Centacare (Darwin) 08 8941 0022
www.centacare-nt.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