Child Abuse and Neglect: a socio-legal Study of Mandatory Reporting in Australia

QLD	Public Health Act 2005 (Qld) Section 191: A mandated reporter must report ‘the harm or likely harm’ if they ‘become aware, or reasonably suspect, during the practice of his or her profession, that a child has been, is being, or is likely to be, harmed’ Section 158: Harm means ‘any detrimental effect on the child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing— (a) that is of a significant nature; and (b) that has been caused by— (i) physical, psychological or emotional abuse or neglect; or (ii) sexual abuse or exploitation.’
Focus is on the child suffering ‘harm’ as a consequence of abuse causing the ‘harm’ specified Physical abuse Psychological abuse Emotional abuse Neglect Sexual abuse or exploitation Focus on significant harm via ‘significant detrimental effect’
Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (Qld) Section 364 defines ‘sexual abuse’. Sections 365, 366 (State and non-State schools respectively): ‘if a staff member becomes aware, or reasonably suspects, in the course of the staff member’s employment at the school, that a child attending the school has been sexually abused’ Sections 365A, 366A (State and non-State schools respectively): ‘if a staff member becomes aware, or reasonably suspects, in the course of the staff member’s employment at the school, that a child attending the school is likely to be sexually abused’	Focus is ‘abuse’ explicitly Sexual abuse only (school staff)