GPs Call For NT Children Protection Law To Be Reviewed

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 07 May 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is concerned about recent changes to the Northern Territory's Care and Protection of Children Act. The changes, which require anyone to alert authorities if they believe a child under the age of 16 is sexually active, may have unintended long-term consequences including more teenage pregnancies, increased teenage sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reduced health care attendance. The RACGP urges the Northern Territory Government to urgently review this legislative change.

"The RACGP acknowledges the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse. However, the requirement to report young people believed to be sexually active will interfere with a GP's role to offer comprehensive, continuing, and timely support to teenagers during their adolescence," said Prof Nigel Stocks, Chair RACGP SA/NT Faculty and GP in Adelaide.

"GPs are the first point of contact in the healthcare system for many young people looking for contraceptive advice, treatment for sexually transmitted infections, care during pregnancy and management of other reproductive concerns," said Prof Stocks.

In its response to the legislation, the RACGP highlights the impact of changes on the key role played by GPs as a trusted confidante, advisor and provider of health care.

"The consequences of the legislative change are likely to be the opposite of what was intended: young people will not seek early care in a pregnancy, will not discuss emergency contraceptive options and there may be an increase in sexually transmitted infection. This type of mandatory reporting regime could lead to young people losing their trust in medical services. This would have a serious long term negative impact on the health of young people in the Northern Territory," said Prof Stocks.

"This legislative change will impact on the rights of competent minors to seek medical advice without fear of reporting to authorities, even when their general practitioner is satisfied that their patient is not the victim of sexual abuse," said Prof Stocks.

The RACGP urges all GPs to report sexual abuse, harm and exploitation. GPs need to be aware of their legal obligations under the mandatory reporting requirements of their state or territory when they suspect child abuse may be occurring. Visit Abuse and Violence: working with our patients in general practice at http://www.racgp.org.au/guidelines/abuseandviolence.

In view of the legal complexities around such reports, the RACGP advises general practitioners to seek advice from their medical indemnity insurer.

To read the RACGP's detailed position statement in response to the Northern Territory's Care and Protection of Children Act changes, please visit here.

Source
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

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