Reporting Code for Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Domestic violence and child abuse are persistent problems that, unfortunately, are not always visible. To keep everyone safe and ensure that survivors of abuse are given the help they need, it is important that people who may encounter signs of domestic violence and child abuse in their jobs are capable of identifying such signs. The Reporting Code helps professionals determine how to act when they encounter potential signs of domestic violence and child abuse.
Since 1 July 2013, self-employed professionals have had a legal duty to uphold the reporting code for domestic violence and child abuse. Doctors are obliged to uphold the reporting code when they encounter signs of abuse and domestic violence, although they need not always submit a report. An assessment framework was added to the Reporting Code for Child Abuse and Domestic Violence in 2018 to help doctors decide whether to submit a report or not. As of 1 January 2019, doctors have had a duty to use this assessment framework.