Laws in all states and territories of Australia recognise that in some circumstances, a person under the age of 18 years, is capable of consenting to sexual contact. Understanding how the laws interact with mandatory reporting requirements can cause confusion for those who are mandatory reporters.
All those working in healthcare can contribute to the protection of vulnerable young people by promoting their best interests and identifying when a young person is at risk of abuse, coercion, or exploitation.
By understanding how the laws operate and the principles to be applied, clinicians are better equipped to provide appropriate care and advice to young people.
This module compliments two other modules that are available: 'Working with children: Identifying and responding to vulnerable children'; and 'Working with vulnerable children: Mandatory reporting'.
This module focusses specifically on the laws operating in Western Australia.
It is recommended that participants complete the first module 'Identifying and responding to vulnerable children' prior to commencing this module. Then complete this series with the third module on mandatory reporting.
Note that when discussing child protection laws, the law refers to anyone under the age of 18 years as a ‘child’ or ‘minor’.
When discussing age of consent laws, the preferred terminology is to refer to ‘young people’.
At the end of this module participants will be able to:
