In Australia over 56,000 children are abused or neglected each year. Infants under 12 months are abused more than any other age group. Indigenous children are seven times more likely to experience abuse or neglect.
Eastern Health is a child safe organisation, committed to promoting the wellbeing and cultural safety of Aboriginal children, children with disabilities and all children in their diversity. We are committed to identifying any baby, child or young person at risk of harm from abuse or neglect and responding rapidly and effectively to ensure the child’s safety. We will support all staff in their child safety responsibilities, including supporting a culture of child safety.
Eastern Health has developed a Child Safety Standard which promotes a culture of safety and wellbeing for children. This is being achieved through effective leadership, enhanced education and training and revised human resource practices. Adherence to the standard prevents the risk of child abuse and ensures appropriate responses and reporting of actual or suspected abuse and unsafe practice.
A child safe organisation has a culture in which all staff, volunteers, contractors, students and visitors ensure child safety and wellbeing with a focus on making child safety everyone’s business.
Click to read the Eastern Health Child Safety Principles
Reporting children at risk
If you are a staff member or member of the public concerned about a child at risk of harm please click here for a short step by step guide on how to respond.
You can also call Child Protection during business hours on a relevant number below:
| Intake Unit – region | Phone | Fax |
| Southern Metro | 1300 655 795 | (03) 9213 2199 |
| Eastern | 1300 360 391 | (03) 9843 6300 |
| North & West | 1300 369 536 | (03) 9479 0119 |
| Gippsland | 1800 020 202 | (03) 5136 2484 |
| Grampians | 1800 000 551 | (03) 5333 6827 |
| Hume | 1800 650 227 | (03) 5722 0649 |
| Loddon Mallee | 1800 675 598 | (03) 5434 5677 |
| Barwon South Western | 1800 075 599 | (03) 5226 4741 |