Home > Legal issues > Youth issues > Family > Child abuse or neglect

Child abuse or neglect

If someone believes that you are being neglected or abused, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, they can tell the Department of Human Services (DHS) (link below). Some people, like doctors, nurses, teachers, principals and police, must tell the DHS if they think a person under 17 is being sexually or physically abused, or is at risk of abuse.

The DHS may take action to try to protect you from neglect or abuse. DHS workers may work with you and your family to sort things out. You should be involved in making decisions. Sorting things out may mean going to the Children’s Court or coming to an agreement with the DHS.

Get urgent legal help if you or family members are being told to leave your home, or if you are unhappy with what the DHS is doing.

There are some decisions that the Children’s Court cannot make. These decisions are made by the DHS and are called case plans. For example, if you have a guardianship order, the DHS case plan says how much access you can have with a parent.

Children and young people have the right to have their wishes listened to. If you disagree with the DHS case plan, you should ask for a lawyer who is experienced in Children’s Court cases.

More information

Leaving home

Legal help for young people

Sex & the law

Violence & sexual assault

Related publications

Am I old enough?

Applying for an intervention order

Related websites

Department of Human Services (new window)

How we can help

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) has a Youth Legal Service that provides legal information and assistance to children, young people and parents.

Call VLA’s Legal Information Service for free information over the phone about the law and how we can help you with your legal problem. You can speak to a legal information officer in English or ask for an interpreter. Phone (03) 9269 0120 or 1800 677 402 (country callers), Monday to Friday from 8.45 am to 5.15 pm.

VLA’s free legal services include:

  • advice at VLA offices and other locations across Victoria
  • lawyers who are on ‘duty’ to help at many courts and tribunals, including the Children’s court.

For some matters we can provide you with a lawyer to help you present your case in the best way.

To find out more about any of our legal services see What we do.

Who else can help?

If something has happened to you or to another young person, or if you’re worried that it will, make sure you tell someone you trust, or call the police or the Child Protection Crisis Line on 131 278 (24 hours).

The Victorian Ombudsman (new window) investigates complaints about government departments, including the DHS.

If you are having problems with your parents you can get free advice and support from:

  • Centre for Adolescent Health, phone: (03) 9345 5890
  • Kids Help Line 24 hrs, phone: 1800 551 800 (free call)
  • Melbourne Youth Support Services @ Frontyard Youth Services (link below), phone: 1800 800 531 (free call landlines only) or (03) 9614 3688 (evenings and weekends)
  • Reconnect – for mediation, support and referral. Phone: (03) 9611 2411 or 1800 800 531 (country callers).