Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Victorian Government Schools

Reports and disclosures from former students of historical sexual abuse

Schools may be contacted by former students reporting or disclosing historical child sexual abuse at the school.

Former students who are victim-survivors of child sexual abuse may contact their former school for a number of reasons including to:

• ensure the school is aware of the sexual abuse that occurred at their school, and can keep a record of it
• protect other students in cases where the person may still be working in schools or elsewhere with children
• seek a personal acknowledgement of harm, an apology, or other action from the school to support their wellbeing or healing
• ask for school records, relating to themselves or to others
• seek information about compensation or redress options
• confirm the name or role of a staff member who taught them
• request certain action from the school, for example to remove a reference to the staff member that is still visible at the school (such as a photo, honour board, building name) or to acknowledge the abuse through a memorial or other symbolic action.

It can take immense courage for a victim-survivor to contact their former school about child sexual abuse. Doing so may bring back painful memories and involve significant emotional vulnerability. When a person reaches out, it is vital that the school responds promptly, and with sensitivity, respect, and compassion.

Report for support from the Restorative Engagement and Support team

Schools must report any contact from former students reporting historical child sexual abuse to the Department’s Restorative Engagement and Support team:

• Phone: 03 9057 4500
• Email: REST@education.vic.gov.au
• Webpage: Victim-survivor support for former students

The Restorative Engagement and Support team can support schools to respond to any engagement from a victim-survivor of historical child sexual abuse in a way that is sensitive and trauma-informed.

The Restorative Engagement and Support team can also refer the school to other parts of the department where required, including Conduct and Integrity Division, Legal Division and the Knowledge, Privacy and Records Branch.

Managing an initial phone call or in-person visit from a former student reporting historical sexual abuse

School staff responding to a phone call or in-person visit from a former student disclosing or reporting an experience of child sexual abuse by an adult working in the school can support them by:

• listening carefully and compassionately
• staying calm, engaged and connected to what is being said
• if possible, moving to a quiet space where they will not be interrupted
• thanking them for sharing their experience
• apologising that they had this experience as a child or young person
• being supportive and validating their experience without judgement
• acknowledging the courage it might take to get to the point they can call or visit the school to talk about their abuse
• asking what they are hoping for, in terms of next steps.

Staff should not ask for specific details of the abuse or ask the former student to elaborate on their experience. However, the former student may do this of their own accord.

School staff can:

• directly support the former student with any request for records – refer to Responding to requests from former students for information or school records
• refer the former student to the department’s website for former students who experienced child sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school which includes information on counselling and wellbeing supports, reporting, and compensation options: Victim-survivor support for former students
• tell the former student that the department now has a specialised team, the Restorative Engagement and Support team who receive reports of historical sexual abuse by school staff (including volunteers and contractors) and can provide information to former students about options and available supports. Their contact details are:
  • Phone: 03 9057 4500
  • Email: REST@education.vic.gov.au
  • Webpage: Victim-survivor support for former students
• ask the former student if they would like to have someone from that team call them back, and if so get their contact details, and ask if a specific time or day suits them best.

School staff should also explain to the caller that they need to report the information provided to the department, and if there is a current risk to child safety, to Victoria Police.

Reports of historical child sexual abuse may be distressing for staff. It is important to remind staff that the department’s Employee Wellbeing Support Services provides free and confidential support and counselling, as well as crisis support.

Managing any current child safety risks arising from a report by a former student of child sexual abuse by an adult working in the school

The Restorative Engagement and Support team will support schools with actions they need to take to manage any current child safety risks arising from a report by a former student relating to child sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school.

These actions will depend on the individual circumstances but may include:

• reporting to the department’s Conduct and Integrity Division if required under the department’s policy on the Reportable Conduct Scheme who will determine whether or not a report needs to be made to Victoria Police and/or the Commission for Children and Young People under that scheme
• seeking advice and guidance from the Conduct and Integrity Division in regard to child safety and employment action if the alleged perpetrator is a current member of school staff, including removing the staff member from the school where required to manage the child safety risk
• reporting to Victoria Police.

The Restorative Engagement and Support team will provide tailored advice to schools in these circumstances.