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Helping to keep our society safe

AUSTRALIAN VALUES In the real test, every values question must be correct.

In Australia, we each have responsibilities to help protect Australian society. For example, if people in Australia suspect their friend or neighbour may be planning to commit a serious crime, they should report this to Australian government authorities as soon as possible. In this way, we can help to protect the safety of our community.

Similarly, if a person in Australia sees or has knowledge of a child being abused, they should report this to the police to investigate.

Online abuse is not accepted in Australia. This is sometimes called cyber abuse. Examples include sharing sexual photos or videos online without consent, stalking a person online, or making racially abusive comments about a person online. Many forms of cyber abuse are illegal in Australia.

Test yourself on this topic

7 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

  1. 1. A man posts racially abusive comments about a work colleague on social media and says it was only a joke. What is the Australian view?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • It is acceptable because it happened outside work
    • Online abuse of this kind is not accepted here
    • It is a matter only for his employer to handle
    • It is acceptable if he apologises afterwards

    Explanation: Racially abusive comments posted about a person online are online abuse, which Australia does not accept.

  2. 2. A woman finds that a stranger is following and watching her constantly across social media. How is this behaviour viewed in Australia?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • As ordinary everyday use of social media
    • As a private matter for the website to sort out
    • As stalking online, which is a form of cyber abuse
    • As acceptable because nobody has been touched

    Explanation: Following or watching a person online is stalking, and it counts as online abuse in Australia.

  3. 3. A young man believes that anything done on the internet cannot break the law. Is he right about cyber abuse in Australia?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Yes, unless the other person is a close relative
    • No, many forms of cyber abuse are illegal here
    • Yes, if he uses a false name on the account
    • No, but only overseas websites are covered by law

    Explanation: Abusive behaviour online is not outside the law; many kinds of cyber abuse are crimes in Australia.

  4. 4. After a break-up, a man plans to post private sexual photos of his former partner online without her agreement. How is this seen in Australia?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • It is a form of cyber abuse and is not accepted
    • It is acceptable if the photos were taken willingly
    • It is acceptable because the relationship has ended
    • It is acceptable if his social media account is private

    Explanation: Putting sexual images online without the other person's consent is one of the listed forms of online abuse.

  5. 5. Ali overhears his neighbour making plans to commit a serious crime. What should he do?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Discuss it with friends but keep it from authorities
    • Warn the neighbour and tell nobody else about it
    • Report it to Australian government authorities promptly
    • Wait until the crime happens before telling anyone

    Explanation: A suspected serious crime should be reported to the authorities straight away, before harm is done.

  6. 6. Jia asks why she should report something suspicious when it does not affect her personally. What is the answer?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Only police officers carry that duty in Australia
    • Reporting is expected only from people who are citizens
    • Reporting is required just of people born overseas
    • Everyone here shares the duty to protect our society

    Explanation: Keeping the community safe is a shared duty; every person in Australia has a part in protecting society.

  7. 7. Marta sees clear signs that a child in her building is being abused. What should she do?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Report it only if the child asks her to do so
    • Speak to the child's parents and leave it there
    • Report it to the police so they can investigate
    • Wait until she is completely certain of the facts

    Explanation: Anyone who sees or knows of a child being abused should tell the police so they can look into it.

From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet