Child sexual abuse
Part of the Crime topic
Understand what child sexual abuse is, and what you must do and cannot do to follow the law in Queensland.
In short
Child sexual abuse is offending of a sexual nature committed against a child and can occur as a single act or a series of acts over time.
It is an offence for any adult to fail to report sexual offending against a child by another adult to police.
This page provides a summary of Queensland's child sexual abuse laws. It's not exhaustive and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with a qualified legal professional for comprehensive information or matter-specific advice.
You must
To comply with the law in Queensland you must:
- Report to Queensland Police if you have reasonable grounds to believe that a child is being sexually abused by an adult.
You cannot
To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:
- Ignore signs of child sexual abuse or grooming.
- Fail to act if you suspect a child is being sexually abused.
- Dismiss a child’s disclosure of sexual abuse without proper investigation.