Concealing a Child Abuse Offence

Concealing a child abuse offence is a crime under section 316A(1) of the Crimes Act 1900, which carries a maximum penalty of:

2 years in prison where the maximum penalty for the offence concealed was less than 5 years, or 5 years in prison where the maximum penalty for the offence concealed was more than 5 years.

To establish the offence, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that:

1. You were an adult
2. You knew, believed or ought reasonably have known that a child abuse offence had been committed
3. You knew, believed or ought reasonably have known that you had information which might be of material assistance to arrest, prosecute or convict the offender
4. You failed to bring the information to the attention of a NSW police officer as soon as practicable after you obtained it, and
5. You had no reasonable excuse for your failure.

The definition of ‘child abuse offence’ covers a wide range of crimes against persons under 18, including:

1. Serious assaults
2. Sexual offences such as sexual assault, sexual touching, sexual act, grooming, procuring, child abuse material and child prostitution, and
3. Failing in parental responsibilities to care for a child, as well as abandoning or exposing a child.

‘Information.. [of] material assistance’ is not defined by the Act, and is a matter of fact to be determined by the court.

You had a ‘reasonable excuse’ for not reporting the information to police if:

1. You believed on reasonable grounds that police already had the information
2. You reported the information through other over legislative mechanisms such as those in the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998, or the Children’s Guardian Act 2019, or Part 3A of the Ombudsman Act 1974 before it was repealed, or you believed on reasonable grounds that another had reported it in that way
3. You had reasonable grounds to fear for the safety of any person if you were to report the information
4. You were under the age of 18 when you obtained the information
5. The alleged victim was an adult at the time you obtained the information, and you believed on reasonable grounds that he or she did not want it reported, or
6. The information related to an assault at a school, and:

• It resulted in no more than a minor injury
• The parties were both school students under the age of 18 years
• You were a member of staff at the school, and
• You took reasonable steps to report the information to

The incident reporting unit in the case of a government school, or the principal or governing body in the case of a non-government school. The reporting of information referred to in the section does not constitute unprofessional conduct or a breach of professional ethics, nor does it render you the subject of civil liability such as liability for defamation provided your reporting was in good faith.

A prosecution for the offence cannot be commenced without the DPP’s approval if the information was obtained through prescribed professions, callings or vocations, such as in the course of medical practice, legal practice or the practice of religion.

Defences to the charge include:

1. Duress, and
2. Self-defence, including the defence of another.