10.1 What is child abuse/exploitation/child harm?

10.1.1 DFAT maintains a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, exploitation and harm. This chapter sets out the responsibilities of all DFAT employees in Australia and overseas to protect children from, abuse, exploitation and harm in carrying out their official duties including in the context of our consular and passports work, public diplomacy activities as well as in delivering development assistance. It also sets out reporting obligations for all employees in instances where child abuse/exploitation or harm is suspected.

10.1.2 Given the diverse work of the Department, DFAT employees regularly come into contact with and are required to engage with minors (children under 18 years of age). Where employees have reason to believe that a child or group of children may be or have been the subject of abuse, exploitation or harm they are under a strict obligation to immediately report this through the appropriate channels as described below. Employees should remain mindful of the fact that acts of child abuse/exploitation or harm attract criminal sanction under relevant Australian laws, many of which have extra-territorial application.

10.1.3 It is important that DFAT employees seek to identify, mitigate, manage and reduce the risks of child exploitation, abuse or harm while carrying out official duties, including by maintaining highest standards of probity when engaging with children.

10.1.4 Broadly defined, child abuse (maltreatment) is the act or failure to act by a person that results in actual or potential harm to a minor (person under 18 years of age). It includes all forms of physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse or neglect and can occur in private or public spaces.

10.1.5 Child exploitation is the act of using a minor for profit, labour, sexual gratification, or some other personal or financial advantage.

10.1.6 Child harm is a detrimental effect on a child's physical, psychological or emotional well-being. Harm may be caused by financial, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, and/or sexual abuse or exploitation whether intended or unintended.

10.2 What policies and guidelines does DFAT have in place in relation to the protection of children?

10.2.1 The Department has a range of targeted guidelines and standards in place to ensure the protection of children in relation to the Department's core work. Employees should familiarise themselves with these and ensure they abide by them.

• DFAT has specific child protection guidelines and standards in place, which apply to all partners engaged and funded by DFAT for the delivery of Australian activities and programs overseas. See the DFAT Child Protection Policy 2025.
• DFAT will not knowingly engage – directly or indirectly – anyone who poses a risk to children and reserves the right to terminate any funding relationship where an implementing partner has contravened their contractual obligations to protect children. All DFAT activities that involve working or contact with children require child protection risk assessments to be undertaken to minimise risk. Contact: Child Protection Section (tel: x5100 email: childprotection@dfat.gov.au)
• Comprehensive guidance on how DFAT Consular Officers must manage children's issues is contained in Chapter 11 of the DFAT Consular Handbook. The Handbook provides specific guidance on the manner in which consular officers must approach and report on allegations of or suspected instances of child abuse, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Contact: Consular Operations Branch.
• To protect against the risk of child abduction, Australia applies stringent processes in relation to the issuing of child passports. The Department also provides advice and assistance in relation to child alert requests. Contact: Australian Passport Office (email: CREC-Passports@dfat.gov.au)
• In photographing or filming children for Public Diplomacy purposes the Department requires informed consent to be sought from a parent or guardian as outlined in the. Child Protection Policy and the DFAT Child Protection Guidance Note on Use of Images and Social Media. Care should also be taken to ensure that local traditions or restrictions for reproducing personal images are adhered to, that images present children in a dignified and respectful way and protect a child's identity. Contact: The Human and Environmental Safeguards Section at childprotection@dfat.gov.au or the Advocacy Events and Outreach Section, Public Diplomacy and Communications Division

10.3 How do I identify child abuse, exploitation or harm?

• Children and young people may express a range of physical and emotional symptoms that could mean they are distressed or going through trauma, including sexual abuse. The age and developmental level of the child or young person will affect how these symptoms present.
• Child abuse, exploitation or harm may be difficult to detect given that an abused child will often be afraid to disclose information about their abuse, feel guilty, ashamed and/or confused. Specific signs and symptoms of abuse will depend on the type of abuse and will vary from case to case. However, some children and young people who have been abused will not show any obvious signs or symptoms. Among other things: physical abuse may be identified in instances where a child suffers unexplained injuries, burns, fractures, or bruises or in instances where injuries are left untreated.
• Signs of sexual abuse could include headaches, bed wetting, weight loss trouble walking/sitting and complaints of genital pain. ; Children may also exhibit emotional or behavioural changes including, depression, anxiety and social withdrawal and may exhibit sexual behaviour or knowledge inappropriate for their age.
• For further information on child sexual abuse, please see: Signs and indicators of child sexual abuse.
• Emotional abuse may be identified in instances where a child exhibits delayed or inappropriate emotional development; low confidence or self-esteem; social withdrawal; loss of previously acquired developmental skills.
• Symptoms of neglect might include poor height or weight gain; poor hygiene; eating a lot in one sitting or hiding food for later; lack of appropriate medical care for dental, physical or psychological conditions.

10.3.1 Identifying abusive or exploitative behaviour by adults towards children may be indicated (among other things) by:

• Unusual/ excessive interest in the sexual development of a child.
• Insisting on hugging, kissing or wrestling with a child in spite of protestations from the child.
• Insisting on time alone with the child with no interruptions.
• Frequently walking in on children/teenagers in the bathroom.
• Picking on a particular child.
• Showing little interest/ regard for a child in their care.
• Harshly blaming, belittling or berating a child.
• Using harsh physical discipline.
• Appearing unable to recognise emotional or physical distress in a child.
• Unusual/excessive gift giving.

Grooming of a child or young person, online or in-person, may include:

• building their trust, including through special attention or gifts:
• Treating them like an adult to make them feel different and special.
• Gaining the trust of their parents, family or carers
• Isolating them from supportive and protective family and friends.
• Convincing them to use different online platforms to evade detection, including those using encrypted technologies.
• Coercing them, including through threats, stalking and asking them to keep secrets.
• Manipulating them to blame themselves for the situation.
• Encouraging or blackmailing them to engage in sexual activity, produce child sexual abuse imagery or participate in sexualised virtual chats.
• Non-sexual touching of the child or young person that develops into sexual behaviour over time.

For further information on grooming, please see Grooming at the National Office for Child Safety website, or for information on signs and indicators of all forms of child abuse, please see Identify signs of child abuse.

10.4 How to report suspected instances of child abuse/exploitation?

10.4.1 Report any suspected or alleged instances of child abuse, exploitation or harm (relating to DFAT business) to the Human and Environmental Safeguards Section (HMS) via:

• Email: childprotection@dfat.gov.au
• Telephone: (02) 6178 5100.

10.4.2 All reports involving DFAT employee as the alleged perpetrator should be reported to the Ethics, Integrity and Professional Standards Section via:

• Reporting Suspected Internal Misconduct Form
• conduct@dfat.gov.au.