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Abuse Information and Support

Practical information and support for understanding abuse and harmful behaviour.

Abuse and harmful behaviour can take many forms and may not always be easy to recognise.

This page provides information to help you identify concerning behaviour, understand your rights, explore support options and consider practical steps if you experience or become aware of abuse, harmful behaviour or misconduct within an organisation or institution.

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Looking for information about children and young people?

If your concern relates to the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, visit our Safeguarding Children and Young People page for information, guidance and resources.

Child Safety Information & Resources

Support through Kooyoora

Kooyoora independently manages complaints for client organisations and conducts impartial investigations into professional misconduct, abuse, harassment, bullying and other concerns.

If you work, volunteer or participate in an organisation that uses Kooyoora's services, you can contact Kooyoora directly or use our service to make a complaint. Our team can listen to your concerns, provide information and help you understand the options available to you.

If you are an organisational leader dealing with concerning behaviour, Kooyoora can provide advice and services to help you manage the matter and determine appropriate next steps.

Kooyoora provides brief to medium-term counselling services to anyone over the age of 18 and supports eligible individuals participating in redress schemes.

Kooyoora provides tailored training for leaders, staff and volunteers in client and non-client organisations.

We also maintain a directory of external support services, helplines and specialist organisations for additional support or information.

Learn About Our Services

Report abuse or misconduct

If you work, volunteer or participate in an organisation that uses Kooyoora's services, and have a concern about abuse, misconduct, or harmful behaviour you can use our reporting page to make a confidential complaint.

Make a Complaint
Make a Complaint

What can I do if I or someone I know experiences abuse or harmful behaviour?

If you or someone you know experiences abuse or harmful behaviour within an organisation or institution, you may be unsure what to do, who to speak with or where to seek support.

The Abuse and Harmful Behaviour Practical Guide to Seeking Support is for employees, students, volunteers, parishioners and members of community or sporting groups who have experienced harmful behaviour or are concerned about someone they know.

The guide provides practical information to help you understand the available options, seek support, raise a concern and consider possible next steps, including if you feel uncertain about reporting what happened.

To read the guide, use the arrow to turn the pages in the interactive flipbook. Select Full Screen for easier viewing or click the download icon to save a PDF copy to your device.

Recognising abuse and harmful behaviour

Abuse and harmful behaviour can occur in a range of organisational and institutional settings. Some behaviour may be clearly concerning, while other behaviour can be more difficult to recognise or may develop over time.

Understanding how abuse and harm may present can help you recognise when something may be wrong and know when to seek support or take action.

Scroll through to learn more about how different types of harm may present, common characteristics and warning signs.

  • Workplace Bullying

    Workplace bullying is repeated and unreasonable behaviour directed towards a worker or group of workers that creates a risk to health and safety.

    Bullying and similar harmful behaviour can also occur in churches, schools, community groups, sporting clubs and other organisations or institutions.

    Learn More
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    Harassment

    Harassment can take different forms and may occur in person, online or through work-related communications. It can include unwelcome behaviour that intimidates, humiliates, threatens or targets someone because of a protected personal characteristic.

    Learn More
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    Abuse

    Abuse is behaviour that causes harm, distress, fear or disadvantage to another person. Abuse may be physical, sexual, emotional or psychological, verbal, spiritual, financial, or technology facilitated. It can also involve grooming, neglect, workplace abuse or the mistreatment of older people and may occur in workplaces, schools, religious and other organisations.

    Learn more

Recognising misconduct and inappropriate behaviour

Not all concerns involve abuse, harassment or bullying. Some concerns may relate to misconduct or other inappropriate behaviour within an organisation or institution.

Misconduct is behaviour that breaches an organisation's policies, code of conduct, professional standards or expected standards of behaviour.

Misconduct can include breaches of professional boundaries, misuse of authority, conflicts of interest, unethical conduct or other inappropriate behaviour.

If something does not feel right, you do not need to decide whether it meets a particular definition before seeking information, support or advice.

Training for Organisations

If your organisation uses Kooyoora’s services, you can access training for leaders, staff and volunteers. We work with you to understand your organisation and develop training that reflects your policies, values and operating environment.

If your organisation is not currently a Kooyoora client, you are still welcome to enquire about accessing training.

Training can be delivered online or face-to-face, helping your people build confidence, recognise harmful behaviour and contribute to a safer and more respectful environment.

  • Two women are sitting in an office, engaged in conversation. One is holding a notebook and pen, smiling, and the other is wearing headphones around her neck, listening and smiling.

    Bystander Training

    Understand the role of bystanders and learn practical strategies for safe and effective action when concerns arise.

  • Prevention of Misconduct

    Explore common forms of misconduct, behavioural expectations and reporting pathways, with practical guidance for addressing concerns.

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    Bullying

    Learn to recognise bullying behaviours, understand their impacts and identify practical ways to prevent and address bullying.

Enquire about training for your organisation

Understanding your rights

Understanding your rights can help you make informed decisions about seeking support, raising concerns and responding to abuse, harmful behaviour or misconduct.

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    Rights at Work

    People working in Australia have workplace rights and protections. These may include protection from unlawful discrimination, adverse action, coercion, undue influence and sexual harassment connected to work.

    Learn More
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    Human Rights Protections

    Human rights and freedoms are recognised and protected in Australia through federal, state and territory laws, the Australian Constitution and common law.

    Learn More
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    Legal Rights and Protections

    Learn about human rights in Australia, why they matter in everyday life and how they are protected.

    Learn More
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    Rights when Receiving Health Care

    People have the right to receive clear information about their health care, including the risks and benefits of proposed tests and treatments. They also have the right to receive safe, high-quality care.

    Learn More