Current abuse:
• In Victoria ring Police on 000 or Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection Crisis Line - Tel: 13 12 78 at any time.
• In Tasmania ring Police on 131 444 or Department of Health and Human Services 1300 737 639 at any time.
Past abuse
• In Victoria ring the Police SANO Task Force on 1800 110007
• In Tasmania ring the Police on 131 444
• If the abuse has been in a Uniting Church institution or facility or by someone associated with the Uniting Church you can report this to the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania : Tel: 1300 789 374 or email to UCARoyalCommissionResponse@victas.uca.org.au
• Contact the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
If you have been sexually abused as a child whilst in the care of any institution including the Uniting Church and its predecessors (the Methodist, Presbyterian and Congregational Churches) and have not already done so we strongly encourage you to contact the Royal Commission on Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Phone 1800 099 340 (within Australia) or 61 2 8815 2319 (from Overseas) Monday to Friday - 8am to 8pm AEST.
Write GPO Box 5283, Sydney NSW 2001
If someone has disclosed child abuse to you:
• Listen carefully to what they are saying
• Clarify exactly what the allegation is. Do not undertake an investigation.
• Assure them you believe them
• Assure them it is not their fault and they are not responsible for the abuse
• Advise them you are pleased they told you
• Let a child know that you will make a report to the authorities so they can help stop the abuse. Offer support and assistance to an adult disclosing past abuse to report to authorities.