- Child: Any person under 18 years of age.
- Child in need of protection: A child who is at risk of, or has experienced, violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation, and requires immediate or ongoing protective measures.
- Child victim: A child who has suffered physical, emotional or psychological harm, or economic loss, as a result of a crime or harmful act.
- Child witness: A child who provides, or is able to provide, testimony or information about a crime, event or incident.
- Child in conflict with the law: A child who is alleged, accused or recognised as having committed an offence under the law.
- Child in contact with the law: Any child who comes into contact with the justice system—as victim, witness, child in need of protection, or child in conflict with the law.
- Diversion: Measures that allow a child alleged or accused of an offence to be dealt with without formal judicial proceedings, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration.
- Rehabilitation and reintegration: Measures aimed at enabling a child victim or child in conflict with the law to recover, resume education, rebuild relationships, and become a constructive member of society.
- Best interests of the child: The standard used to determine which action or decision will most effectively protect the child’s rights, safety, welfare and development.