Health and Wellbeing

Student Safety

Critical Incidents - Responding to allegations of student sexual assault

Flowchart

A flowchart which can be found at Appendix 6 of Responding to Allegations of Student Sexual Assault - Procedures for Victorian Government Schools,  should be used in conjunction with the Procedures and must must be followed step-by-step in responding to allegations of student sexual assault. 

See Compulsory Actions for Principals (PDF - 23Kb).

Information for School Staff

The brochure for school staff contains information on:

  1. What is sexual assault
  2. Staff responsibilities
  3. Resources available to schools

The staff brochure also includes a copy of the flowchart as found in the Procedures.

See Information for school staff (PDF - 213Kb).

Information for Parents and Carers

The brochure for parents and carers contains advice about:

  1. What to do if your child tells you about a sexual assault
  2. How to work with the school to provide support to your child
  3. What is sexual assault
  4. Schools duty of care
  5. Who to contact if your child is involved in a sexual assault
  6. Who can provide specialised counselling and support
  7. Useful websites and phone numbers for organisations who can provide support

See Advice for Parents and Carers (PDF - 192Kb).

Documentation Proforma

Principals and staff must keep written records of all discussions relating to the incident and/or allegations made as close in time as possible to the event. The documentation proforma can be used to assist Principals in ensuring that all relevant information is recorded.

See Documentation Proforma (PDF - 19Kb).

Management Support Plan

The Department of Education has a duty of care to all students involved in an allegation of sexual assault. It is therefore important that strategies are in place to ensure that the health and wellbeing of all students is the highest priority. Ensuring continuity of care is a key strategy for responding appropriately to critical incidents, including allegations of student sexual assault. An individual Management Support Plan must be specifically developed for each student involved in an allegation of sexual assault. The Management Support Plan must to be developed with the student, the parents/carers, and relevant staff. It is advisable that external agencies providing support are involved in the development of this plan.

See Sample Management Support Plan (PDF - 20Kb) and Proforma Management Support Plan (PDF - 14Kb).

Contact Card

A contact card has been developed to ensure that the school and the parents/carers have a shared understanding of the actions to be taken to support any student involved in an allegation of student sexual assault, and to assist with the identification of relevant supports and support personnel within the school, Victoria Police, the Department of Human Services or any other external agencies involved. This contact card should be filled out by the Principal at meetings with parents/carers. A copy must be provided to the parents/carers and one copy must be held in a confidential file by the school. The contact card should include the following:

  1. Meeting time, date and location
  2. Names of persons present at the meeting
  3. Reason for meeting
  4. Actions taken and future action
  5. Contact information

See Sample Contact Card (PDF - 18Kb) and Proforma Contact Card (PDF - 12Kb).