Options for reporting historical child sexual abuse in schools

On this page

• Reporting to police and the criminal process

• Reporting to police
• What to expect when you report sexual abuse to police
• Understanding the justice process and supports

• Reporting abuse to the Department of Education

This page is about reporting historical sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school.

• Reporting other experiences of abuse

Reporting other experiences of abuse in Victorian government schools

If you are a current student who has experienced sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school, please go to Report sexual abuse if you’re a current student.

If you are a current or former student who has experienced either:

• harmful sexual behaviour from another student, or

• physical or other non-sexual abuse at a Victorian government school, please contact the Department of Education’s general enquiries:

• Phone: 1800 338 663(opens in a new window)

• Email: enquiries@education.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window)

Reporting child sexual abuse in non-government schools

If you have experienced abuse at a Catholic or independent school, contact Victoria Police and your school to report the abuse.

If you are unhappy with the school’s response:

• For Catholic schools, contact the Victorian Catholic Education Authority.
• For independent schools, contact the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority.

Reporting sexual abuse can be challenging, and it may be difficult to talk about the experience. Some people choose to report to the police or to the Department of Education. Others may want legal advice around seeking compensation or support.

Reporting to police and the criminal process

This section explains how to report historical child sexual abuse to Victoria Police. It also tells you where to find help with reporting and with understanding the justice process.

Reporting to police

There is no time limit on reporting sexual abuse. Victoria Police will always respond to any report of sexual abuse or sexual assault, no matter when it occurred.

Generally, Victoria Police won’t investigate and potentially charge a person in relation to historical child sexual abuse unless a victim-survivor comes forward and reports the abuse directly to police.

To report historical child sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school

• contact your local police station(opens in a new window) or
• call 1800 110 007.

When you contact your local police station, they will then refer your report to a Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) detective.

The SOCIT is a specialist team who deal with sexual abuse.

The SOCIT detective will investigate and offer you referrals for support services.

Further information

• For more information about reporting to the police refer to: Report a sexual offence, sexual assault, or sex crime(opens in a new window) (Victoria Police website).
• For information on services and supports for victim-survivors of child sexual abuse, including a booklet on what you can expect if you decide to report the abuse to police, refer to: Sexual offence and child abuse support and resources(opens in a new window) (Victoria Police website).

What to expect when you report sexual abuse to police

The Victims of Crime webpage provides a helpful explanation of what happens during a police investigation, including information on:

• making a statement
• collecting evidence
• laying charges
• bail and remand
• your right to be kept informed along the way.

Refer to: Police investigation(opens in a new window) (Victims of Crime website).

Understanding the justice process and supports

The Victims of Crime helpline can answer your questions about:

• reporting a crime
• the court process
• finding other services that can help you, including:

• legal services
• counselling services
• help with day-to-day needs

• applying for compensation and financial assistance.

Contact the Victims of crime helpline

• Open: 8am-7pm Monday to Friday, 8am-5pm Saturday, Sunday and public holidays
• Call: 1800 819 817
• Text: 0427 767 891

Reporting abuse to the Department of Education

If you went to a Victorian government school and experienced sexual abuse by an adult working there, you might want to report it to our Restorative Engagement and Support team in the Department of Education. We provide a safe and respectful space to share your experience, get support, and explore your options.

Even if you are now an adult and the abuse happened a long time ago, you can contact us and tell us what happened. You can also contact us if you were a witness or a family member of a student who was abused.

Here are some reasons why some people choose to report to the department:

• For some people, it can be important to know that the department is aware and has a record of what happened to them.
• Your report may help others who want to bring a claim against the person that caused you harm.
• You may want to tell someone in case the person who caused you harm is still working with children.
• You may want to talk to someone about access to counselling support or information about redress and legal claims.

If the person that caused you harm is still working at a school the department is legally required to notify the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) and Victoria Police.

The police and/or the department will then take steps to investigate what you have told us.

To report sexual abuse to the department, or to talk through your options contact the department’s Restorative Engagement and Support team:

• Phone: 03 9057 4500
• Email: rest@education.vic.gov.au

If you are a school staff member wanting to report an incident, disclosure or suspicion of child abuse relating to a former student, please see Report child abuse in schools.

Updated 27 March 2026

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