Failure to reduce or remove risk of child becoming victim of child abuse
(1) A person commits an offence if— (a) the person is an adult who carries out work for an organisation, whether as an employee, contractor, volunteer or otherwise (a position holder), and (b) the organisation is the employer of an adult worker who engages in child-related work, and (c) there is a serious risk that the adult worker will commit a child abuse offence against a child who is, or may come, under the care, supervision or authority of the organisation, and (d) the position holder knows that the risk exists, and (e) the position holder, by reason of the person’s position, has the power or responsibility to reduce or remove that risk, and (f) the position holder negligently fails to reduce or remove that risk. (2) In proceedings for an offence under this section, it is not necessary to prove that a child abuse offence has been committed. (3) In this section— adult means a person who is of or above the age of 18 years. child means a person who is under the age of 18 years. child abuse offence means— (a) murder or manslaughter of a child (including under section 22A), or (b) an offence under section 27, 29, 33, 35, 37, 38, 38A, 39, 41, 41A, 44, 45, 45A, 46, 59, 60E, 86 or 91J or Division 10, 10A, 10B or 15 of Part 3 where the alleged victim is a child, or (c) an offence under section 42, 43, 43A, 91G or 91H, or (d) an offence of attempting to commit an offence referred to in paragraphs (a)–(c). child-related work (and engage in child-related work), employer and worker have the same meanings as in the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.
Sourced from the New South Wales Legislation website at 8 June 2026. For the latest information on New South Wales Government legislation please go to https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au. Verify the current text against the official source before relying on it.
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