The purpose for which personal information may be collected
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) collects personal information, including sensitive information, provided through Child Protection (CP) and Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (SEAH) reporting relevant to the delivery of DFAT business. This privacy notice explains how DFAT will handle any personal information it receives in a CP or SEAH report.
What personal information will be collected?
The personal information collected may include:
- your name and contact details;
- your date of birth;
- the name and contact details of other individuals;
- employment information, including position, title and work location;
- details of conduct, incidents or events relevant to the allegation;
- any commentary or opinion about a person; and
- supporting documents, photographs, correspondence or other evidence you provide.
Depending on the nature of the allegation, DFAT may also collect sensitive information, including information relating to:
- health;
- criminal history;
- racial or ethnic origin;
- religious beliefs or affiliations;
- political opinions or associations;
- membership of a professional or trade association;
- sexual orientation or practices; and
- other information relevant to assessing or investigating the allegation.
You should only provide information that is relevant to the allegation being reported. DFAT may contact you to seek clarification of information you have provided or to request additional information relevant to the matter.
Why is this information being collected?
The personal (and sensitive) information you provide in your CP or SEAH report will be collected by DFAT for purposes that include:
- assessing, managing and where necessary, investigating and taking appropriate action in relation to CP or SEAH incidents arising in connection with DFAT business;
- managing the risks of CP and SEAH in DFAT's business.
Consequences of not providing information
Reporting CP and SEAH incidents is mandatory. However, you may report an allegation anonymously or using a pseudonym.
If sufficient personal information is not provided, DFAT may be unable to contact you or make further enquiries about the alleged CP or SEAH incident(s) you have reported, or otherwise assess the allegation, investigate the matter fully, or take appropriate action.
If you have concerns about how the personal information will be handled by DFAT, please contact us as soon as possible by emailing seah.reports@dfat.gov.au or telephoning +61 2 6178 5100.
Disclosure of personal information
DFAT may disclose any personal information it collects for the purposes described above. This may include disclosure to Australian or foreign law enforcement agencies or relevant personnel within a partner organisation (for example, a managing contractor, non-government organisation or multilateral organisation) to enable that organisation to:
- conduct internal reviews or investigations; and
- identify and address CP, SEAH, integrity, compliance and risk issues.
Overseas disclosures
Given DFAT's global operations, personal information may be disclosed to individuals, partner organisations, service providers or government authorities located outside Australia where reasonably necessary to assess, investigate or otherwise manage a reported matter.
Privacy Policy
DFAT's Privacy Policy contains important information about:
- how you can access and seek correction of personal information we hold about you;
- how to make a privacy complaint; and
- how DFAT will deal with a privacy complaint.
If you have questions about how DFAT manages personal information, please contact the Privacy Team at privacy@dfat.gov.au.
Acknowledgement and consent
By completing and submitting the CP and SEAH incident form, I acknowledge and declare that:
- I have read and understood this Privacy Collection Notice;
- I understand how DFAT may collect, use, store and disclose personal information provided through the CP and SEAH incident form;
- where I am reporting a matter on behalf of a victim/survivor, I have done so with their knowledge and consent, to the extent it is safe, appropriate and practicable to obtain that consent;
- I consent to DFAT collecting, using and disclosing my personal information (including sensitive information where applicable) in accordance with this Privacy Collection Notice;
- I consent to DFAT disclosing my personal information (including sensitive information where applicable) to overseas recipients for the purposes set out in this Privacy Collection Notice;
- I acknowledge that, in relation to overseas disclosures, Australian Privacy Principle 8.1 may not apply; and
- where I provide information about another person, I have done so lawfully and reasonably.