In the Northern Territory (NT), you must report your concerns if you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or abused.

This is a legal responsibility under the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 and is called mandatory reporting.

Your report should include any relevant information about your concerns for the child’s safety and wellbeing.

You don’t need proof of harm or abuse to report your concerns – you just need a reasonable belief that a child has been harmed or is likely to be harmed.

If you make a report in good faith, you are safeguarded under the law from legal or professional liability.

How to report

To make a report on suspected child abuse, you can:

• call the child protection reporting line on 1800 700 250 – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• do it online via CARE Services.

If you are not sure if it’s something you should report, you should discuss your concerns via the child protection reporting line.