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What happens after a report to child protection?
When you make a report of child abuse to your state Child Protection Service, the Child Protection Worker will ask you questions to help determine whether or not an investigation is required. If the Child Protection Worker shares your concerns, an investigation will take place that will include visiting the family and speaking to the parent(s) and the child.
Other professionals may also be contacted as part of the investigation such as teachers and doctors.
The purpose of the investigation is to determine the safety of the child.
How will the child be protected?
If abuse is occurring, a number of steps may be taken depending on the degree of immediate danger to the child:
- The family may be required to seek support and counselling to prevent further abuse.
- The child may go to stay with relatives whilst the parents address problems that are contributing to the abuse of the child.
- As a last resort, the child may be removed from home and the matter taken to Court. This action only occurs when there is no other way to ensure the child’s safety.
- Workers from the Child Protection Service would then work to support the child and family to achieve the change necessary to allow the child to return home.
What is the role of the police?
The police can become involved in an investigation of child abuse if there is a possibility that a crime has been committed against a child. The police will gather evidence from a number of people to determine whether or not they can lay charges against the person (or people) who have has abused the child.
The police play a critical role in ensuring that perpetrators of child abuse are charged and convicted. They often require the assistance of members of the public during their investigations. Support them wherever you can.
