The legislation requires reporting to Victoria's Department of Health and Community Services on suspected abuse of children under 17 years of age. Groups that must report include doctors, nurses, teachers, and police. The legislation identifies "significant harm" as the key to reporting requirements and notes factors to consider in assessing significant harm. Further, the legislation views abuse of children and child protection as human rights issues. Mandatory reporting of abuse places those who have gained the confidence of teenagers in a difficult position, however, and various legal issues and questions surround the reporting process. Both individual professionals and organizations such as schools, community centers, and youth clubs must develop procedures to guide personnel in fulfilling their reporting duties. The rights of adolescents are discussed in the context of mandatory abuse reporting. 14 references