Children are warmly welcomed here. We have in place a Code of Conduct for all clergy, staff and volunteers, as well as a Commitment to Child Safety, and procedures for reporting any suspected abuse. Volunteers, clergy and staff undertake ongoing training in accordance with the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne Safe Ministry Program. We have a commitment to zero tolerance of child abuse.

Jesus taught us that we must always care for children: ‘Let the children come to me and do not hinder them’ (Matt 19.14). We want to be a church where children and young people are fully engaged and have every opportunity to thrive and grow in their faith.

We support and respect all children. We are committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

All allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously, and in accordance with legal processes, and relevant policies and procedures. We have legal and moral obligations to contact authorities if there are concerns about a child’s safety, which we will follow sensitively and rigorously. We are committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.

Abuse and neglect includes but is not limited to physical abuse, emotional abuse, family violence, sexual abuse, grooming, or neglect.

The Parish expects all adult behaviours and attitudes towards children to be safe and appropriate. Any inappropriate behaviour will be reported including to the Department of Health and Human Services and Victoria Police, depending on the severity and urgency of the matter.

In addition to training, all people engaged in child-related work, including volunteers, are required to hold a Working with Children Check and evidence it. See the Working with Children Check website for further information.

All allegations of abuse and safety concerns will be investigated by Kooyoora Ltd (see below) If an allegation of abuse or a safety concern is raised, families and where age-appropriate, children will be kept up to date. Appropriate pastoral care will be offered to all.

Anyone who is a mandatory reporter must comply with their duties. There are two key areas of legal responsibility:

• Failure to disclose: Reporting child sexual abuse is a community-wide responsibility. All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 have an obligation to report that information to the police.

• Failure to protect: People of authority in our organisation will commit an offence if they know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.

We take all allegations seriously and have practices in place to have matters investigated thoroughly and quickly. For immediate help (from the DFFH website) :

• To report concerns that are life threatening, ring Victoria Police 000

• To contact a child protection office close to you, call 1300 655 795, or after hours, 13 12 78

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne takes all complaints of misconduct very seriously. Kooyoora Ltd has been appointed by the Melbourne Anglican Diocese to respond to all complaints of misconduct including sexual, physical, spiritual or emotional abuse by clergy or Church officers. Kooyoora Ltd is an independent Professional Standards company which undertakes Professional Standards work for not-for-profit charitable entities.

The first step in making a complaint is to call the recorded information line at any time on 1800 135 246. All information provided to this service is strictly confidential. The person taking a message on this number will ask you to give a name and your phone number or address so that the Director can contact you as soon as possible.

Alternatively, you can write to the Director: Director of Professional Standards, Kooyoora Ltd, PO Box 329, Canterbury VIC 3126.

Other helpful websites:

• Commission for Children and Young People

• Department of Human Services

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne oversees all Child Safety policies and procedures which in turn reflect requirements as outlined by the Victorian Government and the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP). View details of the Diocese Child Safe Guidelines here.