1. Introduction
1.1 Birth Trauma Australia (BTA) believes first and foremost that it is important to recognise that the majority of people experiencing emotional distress are unlikely to be at immediate, serious risk of harm to themselves or others, and that giving people a safe place to express their distress can form part of an effective harm-minimisation strategy. BTA is also aware that there is a need to respond appropriately to situations where children are at risk of abuse or there is evidence of domestic violence.
1.2 This policy is not intended to give guidance on wider matters relating to child abuse or domestic violence, but is intended to ensure a consistent and sensitive approach to managing situations where there is a significant concern for a child’s well-being or disclosures of domestic violence.
1.3 This policy relates only to our support activities, such as the Physio Support service on our website. BTA is not responsible for the well-being of members of the general public who interact with the charity solely in a public forum, such as groups on social media or at public events.
2. Purpose of the policy
2.1 The purpose of this policy is:
(i) to provide guidance on the course of action to be taken in a situation where there are strong grounds to suspect child abuse;
(ii) to provide Volunteers with information on the mandatory reporting requirements of each state for child abuse.
(iii) to provide guidance on the course of action to be taken in a situation where a client discloses they are a victim or perpetrator of domestic violence.
3. Recommended course of action – Child Abuse and Neglect
3.1 If in the course of a consult, a Volunteer believes that a child is in immediate danger Emergency Services should be contacted by dialling 000 while keeping the person on the live chat. The Emergency Operator will be able to assist you with asking questions of the person so the appropriate action can be taken.
3.2 If there is no immediate risk but the Volunteer encounters a situation where a client discloses an incident of, or there is serious reason to suspect, child sexual or physical abuse or neglect then the BTA Executive Committee should be notified of the details of the incident using the Mandatory Reporting Incident Form so that a decision on further action and reporting requirements can be made.
3.3 If a mentor is bound by State Law or the requirements of their profession to report incidents of child abuse (mandated reporter) then they should report the incident as per the guidelines dictated by their profession and also complete the Mandatory Reporting Incident Form.
4. Recommended course of action – Domestic Violence
4.1 If in the course of a live chat a Volunteer believes that a person is in immediate danger Emergency Services should be contacted by dialling 000 while keeping the person on the chat. The Emergency Operator will be able to assist you with asking questions of the person so the appropriate action can be taken. The BTA Executive Committee should be notified of the details of the incident using the Mandatory Reporting Incident Form.
4.2 If there is no immediate risk but the Mentor encounters a situation where a client discloses an incident of, or there is serious reason to suspect domestic violence the client should be encouraged to contact DV Connect on 1800 811 811 for support and the BTA Executive Committee should be notified of the details of the incident using the Mandatory Reporting Incident Form.
4.3 It is BTA’s policy not to contact the Police in relation to domestic violence situations unless there is an immediate and present danger to the person’s safety. Rather, the person should be strongly encouraged to contact DV Connect for support and advice.
4.4 If the individual chooses not to follow this suggestion, in the context of the activities of BTA we are not in a position to take any further action, unless the cause for concern becomes a crisis situation.
4.5 If it is felt that an individual’s expectations of how BTA activities could/should support them extend beyond our remit, mentors are encouraged to advise the client that while BTA is not equipped to provide the level of support they need, we are here to support them to connect with the services that can assist.
Reference Materials
Who is Mandated to Report Child Abuse in Each State
How to Report Child Abuse in Each State
BTA MANDATORY REPORTING INCIDENT FORM
This form is to be completed by Physio Volunteers when they encounter a situation where a client discloses an incident of, or there is serious reason to suspect, child sexual or physical abuse or neglect or the client discloses an incident of domestic violence.
Upon submission of this form, the Executive Committee will:
– Decide whether further action is required
– Report the incident to the relevant authorities if warranted
– Provide support to the Volunteer involved in the incident.