Child protection

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation call Triple Zero (000),

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) is committed to making the community safer for children. The QPS’s state-wide Child Protection and Investigation Units (CPIU) are staffed by highly trained, skilled and professional detective investigators committed to the protection of children across Queensland. The CPIU are based across the State and conduct investigations into myriad criminal matters including homicide, rape, serious sexual allegations and the physical abuse of children

Child sexual abuse

Child Sexual Abuse is a serious matter that can be inflicted physically, verbally or emotionally. Children can be sexually abused by both adults and other children who are in a position of power or authority over the child.

If you have serious concerns relating to the sexual abuse of a child contact Police link on 131 444.

For further information regarding child sexual abuse and reporting options visit the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services site.

You can also visit the Bravehearts site for additional counselling and support options.

Grooming of children

In Queensland, it is an offence to groom a child under the age of 16. The process of grooming commences when an adult takes particular interest in a child with the intent to form a bond to persuade or encourage the child to engage in sexual activity. They may do this by directly speaking to the child about sexual matters or exposing them to indecent matter including pornographic material. An adult may also use the internet to facilitate the grooming process by contacting the child through online chat rooms or social networking websites.

For more information see ‘Who’s chatting to your kids?’ .

Online safety

Suggestions to help protect your child on the internet:

• Maintain direct and open communication with your child 
• Where possible keep all internet capable devices in common family areas
• Know how to disable location services on your child’s smart device
• Check privacy settings on your child’s social media accounts
• Be aware of the social media sites on your child’s device
• Check your child’s online profiles and ensure the content is appropriate
• Consider password protected settings for installation of age appropriate applications on smart devices
• Consider installing filtering and/or blocking software on computers
• Know how to save copies of your child’s instant messaging chat logs
• Consider the “Family Internet Safety Agreement” developed by QPS
• Monitor your child’s phone plans and credit for unusual activity
• Consider what device you provide your child
• Children should be able to tell you the name of their online contacts
• Ensure you have access to your child’s accounts in order to monitor them
• Consider appropriate phone and data plans for your child
• Consider syncing smart devices to family account

For further information regarding your child’s online safety, you can visit the website of the Federal eSafety Commissioner.

Intimate images

In Queensland, it is a criminal offence under the Criminal Code 1899 if a person shares an intimate image of another person without their consent in a way that would reasonably cause them distress. It is also illegal if a person threatens to share an intimate image without the person’s consent in a way that would cause them fear of the threat being carried out.  This applies whether a person threatens the person depicted in the intimate image, or anyone else. This offence applies even if the image does not exist.

For more information regarding intimate images and how to seek help if someone has shared an image of you, see 'Sharing of intimate images'. 

Physical abuse

Physical abuse involves the intentional use of physical force against a child that results in injury or serious harm to the child. This may include hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, strangling and any injury caused with a weapon.

If you have serious concerns relating to the physical abuse of a child contact Policelink on 131 444.

For further information regarding child physical abuse and reporting options, you can visit the website of the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.

Domestic discipline

Queensland’s Criminal Code 1899 states that “It is lawful for a parent or a person in the place of a parent, or for a schoolteacher or master, to use, by way of correction, discipline, management or control, towards a child or pupil, under the person’s care such force as is reasonable under the circumstances”

However, it is an offence under the Child Protection Act 1999 to cause harm to a child that would have any detrimental effect of significant nature on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing, regardless of how the harm is caused.

Neglect

Harm to a child can be caused by not only physical abuse, but in some cases, neglect. Neglect includes the failure over time to provide for the development and wellbeing of a child in regard to the child’s health, education, nutrition and safe living conditions.

The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women provide useful services relating to the neglect and welfare of children. To access further information or to make a report (including reporting anonymously), visit the website of the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services.

For further information regarding Child Abuse, you can also visit the website of the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Historical offences

The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who have experienced child sexual abuse in a Queensland institution. If you or someone you know experienced sexual abuse as a child in a Queensland institution you can visit the Queensland Government’s National Redress Scheme website for more information including support services and how to apply for redress.

If you or someone that you know has experienced abuse as a child and are seeking more information and advice, including support services, you can visit the website of Victim Assist Queensland.

Select the below links for more information regarding the protection of children.