Child neglect, abuse and cumulative harm

Summary of changes

Addition 

  • New subsection cumulative harm with brief explanation
  • Note that it may be an obligation to share information with other agencies
  • To inform parent/carer where possible that report is being undertaken

Other

  • Defined recent (in recent sexual abuse) as 7 days post-assault

Primary references

  1. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021) Australian Burden of Disease Study 2018: Child abuse and neglect, accessed 11 January 2022.

  2. Child and Adolescent Health Service, Government of Western Australia (2020) Guidelines for Protecting Children 2020, accessed 4 October 2022.

  3. Hindmarsh E and Hegarty K (2014) 'Child Abuse', in Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Abuse and Violence: Working with our patients in general practice, 4th edn, RACGP, Australia.

  4. Royal Australasian College of Physicians (2015) Protecting Children is Everybody's Business. Paediatricians responding to the Challenge of Child Protection, accessed 4 October 2022.

  5. Spector L (2020) 'Recognizing and Responding to Child Abuse in the Medical Setting', Pediatric Annals, 49(8):e332-e333, doi:10.3928/19382359-20200717-01

  6. Territory Families, Housing and Communities, Northern Territory Government (2020) Professional Reporters Guide: Reporting Child Harm or Exploitation, accessed 4 October 2022.

  7. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne (2021) Recommended forensic evaluation of physical abuse, Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service Guideline, accessed 4 October 2022.

Indigenous/remote context references

  1. Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (2021) 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities', in Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Abuse and Violence: Working with our patients in general practice, 5th edn, RACGP, Australia.