MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY
Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Purpose of Our Policy
3. Who Our Policy Applies To
4. Extent of Our Policy
5. Club Responsibilities
6. Individual Responsibilities
7. Protection of Children
7.1 Child Protection
7.2 Supervision
7.3 Transportation
7.4 Taking Images of Children
8. Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying
8.1 Discrimination
8.2 Harassment
8.3 Bullying
9. Inclusive Practices
9.1 People with a Disability
9.2 People from Diverse Cultures
9.3 Sexual & Gender Identity
9.4 Pregnancy
9.5 Girls playing in boys teams
10. Responding to Complaints
10.1 Complaints
10.2 Complaint Handling Process
10.3 Disciplinary Measures
10.4 Appeals
___________________________________________________________
1. Introduction
Our Values are:
Respect: All people are treated with respect, regardless of their background, skill, age or position.
Integrity: We uphold the highest standards of behavior and ethics, have deep respect for honesty and always work within the rules of the Sport.
Conviction: We are fully committed to teaching and learning – we give 100 % effort.
Excellence: We aim for excellence in everything we do
United: We stand united to confront all obstacles; we care for each other, our members, our community and the Sport of Fencing.
2. Purpose of Our Policy
The main objective of Melbourne Fencing Centre’s (“our”, “us” or “we”) Member Protection Policy (“policy”) is to maintain responsible behaviour and the making of informed decisions by members and other participants in this club. It outlines our commitment to a person’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be safe and protected from discrimination, harassment and abuse. Our policy informs everyone involved in our club of his or her legal and ethical rights and responsibilities and the standards of behaviour that are expected of them. It also covers the care and protection of children participating in our club’s activities.
3. Who Our Policy Applies To
This policy applies to everyone involved in the activities of our club whether they are in a paid or voluntary capacity and including:
• club members, administrators and other club officials;
• coaches and assistant coaches and other personnel participating in events and activities, including camps and training sessions;
• support personnel, including managers, physiotherapists, psychologists, masseurs, sport trainers and others;
• referees, umpires and other officials;
• athletes;
• members, including any life members;
• parents, families and friends;
• spectators; and visitors;
4. Extent of Our Policy
Our policy covers all matters directly and indirectly related to the Melbourne Fencing Centre and its activities. In particular, the policy governs unfair decisions and actions, breaches of our code of behaviour and behaviour that occurs at training sessions, in the club rooms, at social events organised or sanctioned by the club (or our sport). It also covers private behaviour where that behaviour brings our club or sport into disrepute or there is suspicion of harm towards a child or young person.
5. Club Responsibilities
We will:
ensure that this policy is enforced;
publish, this policy on our website and the consequences of any breaches of this policy;
promote and model appropriate standards of behaviour at all times;
deal with any complaints made under this policy in an appropriate manner;
deal with any breaches of this policy in an appropriate manner;
recognise and enforce any penalty imposed under this policy;
review this policy on a regular basis;
seek advice from and refer serious issues to the Australian Sports Commission or the Police.
Serious issues include unlawful behaviour that involves or could lead to significant harm and includes criminal behaviour (e.g. physical assault, sexual assault, child abuse).
6. Individual Responsibilities
Everyone associated with our club must:
• make themselves aware of the contents of this policy;
• comply with all relevant provisions of this policy, including the standards of behaviour outlined in this policy;
• consent to the screening requirements set out in this policy, and Working with Children checks if the person holds or applies for a role that involves regular contact with a child or young person under the age of 18, or where otherwise required by law;
• treat other people with respect;
• always place the safety and welfare of children above other considerations;
• be responsible and accountable for their behaviour; and
• follow the guidelines outlined in this policy if they wish to make a complaint or report a concern about possible child abuse, discrimination, harassment, bullying or other inappropriate behaviour; and
• comply with any decisions and/or disciplinary measures imposed under this policy.
7. Protection of Children
7.1 Child Protection
Melbourne Fencing Centre is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people who participate in our clubs activities or use our services. We support the rights of the child and will act at all times to ensure that a child safe environment is maintained.. We also support the rights and wellbeing of our coaches and volunteers and encourage their active participation in building and maintaining a secure and safe environment for all participants.
Melbourne Fencing Centre acknowledges the valuable contribution made by coaches, members and volunteers and we encourage their active participation in providing a safe, fair and inclusive environment for all participants.
7.1.1: Identifying and Analyzing Risks of Harm
Melbourne Fencing Centre has developed and implemented a risk management strategy, which included a review of our existing child protection practices, to determine how child-safe our organisation is and to identify any additional steps we can take to minimize and prevent the risk of harm to children because of the action of a coach, volunteer or any other person.
7.1.2: Developing Codes of Conduct for Adults and Children
We have developed a code of conduct that specifies standards of conduct and care we expect of adults when the dealing and interacting with children, particularly those in the our care. We also have implemented a code of conduct to promote appropriate behavior between children.
The codes clearly describe professional boundaries, ethical behavior and unacceptable behavior. (See Attachment 2)
7.1.3: Choosing Suitable Coaches and Volunteers
Melbourne Fencing Centre will ensure that the organisation takes all reasonable steps to ensure that it engages the most suitable and appropriate people to work with children, especially those in positions that involve regular unsupervised contact with children .This may be achieved using a range of screening measures. Such measures will aim to minimize the likelihood of engaging (or retaining) people who are unsuitable to work with children.
Melbourne Fencing Centre will ensure that Working with Children Checks and criminal history assessments are conducted for coaches and volunteers working with children, where an assessment is required by law. If a criminal history report is obtained as part of the screening process, Melbourne Fencing Centre will ensure that the criminal history information is dealt with confidentially and in accordance with relevant legal requirements. (See Attachment 1.3)
7.1.4: Support, Train, Supervise and Enhance Performance
Melbourne Fencing Centre will ensure that all our coaches and volunteers who work with children have ongoing supervision; support and training. Our goal is to develop their skills and capacity and to enhance their performance so we can maintain a child-safe environment in our club.
7.1.5: Empower and Promote the Participation of Children In Decision-Making And Service Development
Melbourne Fencing Centre will promote the involvement and participation of children and young people in developing and maintaining a child-safe environment in our club.
7.1.6: Report and Respond Appropriately to Suspected Abuse and Neglect
Melbourne Fencing Centre will ensure that coaches and volunteers are able to identify and respond appropriately to children at risk of harm and that they are aware of their responsibilities under state laws to make a report if they suspect on reasonable ground that a child has be, or is being, abused or neglected (See Attachment 4).
In addition to any legal obligations, if any person believes that another person or organisation bound by this policy is acting inappropriately towards a child or is in breach of this policy they may make an internal complaint.
Please refer to our complaints procedure in section 10 of this policy.
Any person who believes a child is in immediate danger or in a life threatening situation, should contact the police immediately.
7.2 Supervision
Children under the age of 18 must be supervised at all times by a responsible adult. We endeavour to provide an appropriate level of supervision at all times. If a member finds a child under the age of 18 is unsupervised, they should assume responsibility for the child’s safety until the child’s parent/guardian or supervisor is located.
For reasons of courtesy and safety, parents must collect their children on time. If it appears a member will be left alone with just one child at the end of any club activity, they will ask another member to stay until the child is collected.
7.3 Transportation
Parents or legal guardians are responsible for organising the transportation of their children to and from club activities (e.g. training and competition).
7.4 Taking Images of Children
Images of children can be used inappropriately or illegally. We require that members, wherever possible, obtain permission from a child’s parent or guardian before taking an image of a child that is not their own. It is also important to make sure that the parent or guardian understands how the image will be used.
To respect people’s privacy, we do not allow camera phones, videos and cameras to be used inside changing areas and toilets which are used in connection with our club.
When using a photo of a child, we will not publish personal information, such as residential address, email address or telephone number, without the consent of the child’s parent or guardian. We will not provide information about a child’s hobbies or interests.
We will only use images of children that are relevant to our club’s activities and we will ensure that they are suitably clothed in a manner that promotes our club. Refer to our
8. Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying
Our club is committed to providing an environment in which people are treated fairly and equitably and that is, as far as practicable, free from all forms of discrimination, harassment and bullying.
We recognize that people may not be able to enjoy themselves or perform at their best if they are treated unfairly, discriminated against, harassed or bullied.
8.1 Discrimination
Unlawful discrimination involves the less favorable treatment of a person on the basis of one ormore of the personal characteristics protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination laws.
Discrimination includes both direct and indirect discrimination:
• Direct discrimination occurs if a person treats, or proposes to treat, a person with a protected personal characteristic unfavorably because of that personal characteristic.
• Indirect discrimination occurs if a person imposes, or proposes to impose, a requirement, condition or practice that will disadvantage a person with a protected personal characteristic and that requirement, condition or practice is not reasonable.
8.2 Harassment
Harassment is any unwelcome conduct, verbal or physical, that intimidates, offends or humiliates another person and which happens because a person has a certain personal characteristic protected by State or Federal anti-discrimination legislation.
The offensive behaviour does not have to take place a number of times, a single incident can constitute harassment.
Sexual harassment is one type of harassment. Sexual harassment involves unwelcome conduct, remarks or innuendo of a sexual nature. It covers a wide range of behaviours and can be verbal, written, visual or physical. Sexual harassment is not limited to members of the opposite sex.
Every person is covered by the anti-discrimination laws that apply in their State as well as the Federal anti-discrimination laws.
The following is a list of all the personal characteristics that apply throughout Australia:
• gender;
• race, color, descent, national or ethnic origin, nationality, ethno-religious origin, immigration;
• national extraction or social origin;
• marital status, relationship status, identity of spouse or domestic partner;
• pregnancy, potential pregnancy, breastfeeding;
• family or carer responsibilities, status as a parent or carer;
• age;
• religion, religious beliefs or activities;
• political beliefs or activities;
• lawful sexual activity;
• sexual orientation and gender identity;
• profession, trade, occupation or calling;
• irrelevant criminal record, spent convictions;
• irrelevant medical record;
• member of association or organisation of employees or employers, industrial activity, trade union activity;
• physical features;
• disability, mental or physical impairment;
• defence service; and
• personal association with someone who has, or is assumed to have, any of these personal characteristics.
Legislation also prohibits:
• racial, religious, homosexual, transgender and HIV/AIDS vilification; and
• victimization resulting from a complaint.
8.3 Bullying
Melbourne Fencing Centre is committed to providing an environment that is free from bullying. We understand that bullying has the potential to result in significant negative consequences for an individual’s health and wellbeing, and we regard bullying in all forms as unacceptable at our club.
Bullying is characterised by repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at a person, or group of persons, that creates a risk to health and safety. Bullying behaviour is that which a reasonable person in the circumstances would expect to victimise, humiliate, undermine, threaten, degrade, offend or intimidate a person. Bullying behaviour can include actions of an individual or group.
Whilst generally characterised by repeated behaviours, one off instances can amount to bullying.
The following types of behaviour, where repeated or occurring as part of a pattern of behaviour, would be considered bullying:
• verbal abuse including shouting, swearing, teasing, making belittling remarks or persistent unjustified criticism;
• excluding or isolating a group or person;
• spreading malicious rumors; or
• psychological harassment such as intimidation.
Bullying includes cyber-bulling which occurs through the use of technology. New technologies and communication tools, such as smart phones and social networking websites, have greatly increased the potential for people to be bullied though unwanted and inappropriate comments. We will not tolerate abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements being made online.
If any person believes they are being, or have been, bullied by another person or organisation bound by this policy, he or she may make a complaint. (Refer to Item 10 of this policy.)
9. Inclusive practices
Our club is welcoming and we will seek to include members from all areas of our community.
The following are examples of some of our inclusive practices.
9. 1 People from diverse cultures
We will support, respect and encourage people from diverse cultures and religions to participate in our club and where possible we will accommodate requests for flexibility (e.g. modifications to uniforms).
9.2 Sexual & Gender Identity
All people, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity, are welcome at our club. We strive to provide a safe environment for participation and will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment because of a person’s sexuality or gender identity.
9.3 Pregnancy
Melbourne Fencing Centre is committed to treating pregnant women fairly and to removing any unreasonable barriers to their full participation in our club’s activities. We will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment against pregnant women.
We will take reasonable care to ensure the continuing safety, health and wellbeing of pregnant women. We will advise pregnant women that there may be risks involved with their continuing participation in sport, and we will encourage them to obtain medical advice about those risks. Pregnant women should be aware that their own health and wellbeing, and that of their unborn child, is of utmost importance in their decision-making about the extent they choose to participate in our sport.
We encourage all pregnant women to talk with their medical advisers, make themselves aware of the facts about pregnancy in sport and ensure that they make informed decisions about their participation in our sport. Pregnant women should make these decisions themselves, in consultation with their medical adviser. If a pregnant woman believes she is being, or has been, harassed or discriminated against by another person bound by this policy, she may make a complaint (see section 10).
9.4 Girls playing in boys teams
If there is not a separate sex competition Melbourne Fencing Centre will support girls playing in boys teams.
10. Responding to Complaints
10.1 Complaints
Our club takes all complaints about on and off-strip behaviour seriously. Our club will handle complaints based on the principles of procedural fairness, and ensure:
all complaints will be taken seriously;
the person being complaint about will be given full details of what is being alleged against them and have the opportunity to respond to those allegations;
irrelevant matters will not be taken into account;
decisions will be unbiased; and
any penalties imposed will be reasonable.
If the complaint relates to suspected child abuse, sexual assault or other criminal activity, then our club may need to report the behaviour to the police and/or relevant government authority.
10.2 Complaint Handling Process
When a complaint is received by our club, the person receiving the complaint (e.g. Head Coach, Manager) will:
listen carefully and ask questions to understand the nature and extent of the concern;
ask the complainant how they would like their concern to be resolved and if they need any support;
explain the different options available to help resolve the complainant’s concern;
inform the relevant government authorities and/or police, if required by law to do so; and
where possible and appropriate, maintain confidentiality but not necessarily anonymity.
Once the complainant decides on their preferred option for resolution, the club will assist, where appropriate and necessary, with the resolution process. This may involve:
supporting the person complaining to talk to the person being complained about;
bringing all the people involved in the complaint together to talk objectively through the problem (this could include the involvement of additional office holders, delegate, parents or other external mediation);
gathering more information (e.g. from other people that may have seen the behaviour);
seeking advice from an external agency (e.g. State Department of Sport or anti-discrimination agency);
referring the complainant to an external agency such as a community mediation centre, police or anti-discrimination agency.
At any stage of the process, a person can seek advice from an anti-discrimination commission or other external agency and, if the matter is within their jurisdiction, may lodge a complaint with the anti-discrimination commission or other external agency.
10.3 Disciplinary Sanctions
Our club may take disciplinary action against anyone found to have breached our policy or made false and malicious allegations. Any disciplinary measure imposed under our policy must:
be fair and reasonable;
be based on the evidence and information presented and the seriousness of the breach; and
be determined by our policies, by Laws and the rules of the game.
Possible sanctions that may be taken include:
a direction that the individual make verbal and/or written apology;
counselling of the individual to address behaviour;
withdrawal of any awards, placings, records, achievements bestowed in any tournaments, activities or events held or sanctioned by our club;
suspension or termination of membership, participation or engagement in a role or activity;
any other form of discipline that our club considers reasonable and appropriate.
10.4 Appeals
The complainant or respondent may be entitled to lodge an appeal against a decision made in relation to a complaint (including a decision where disciplinary sanctions are imposed by our club) to the Directors of Melbourne Fencing Centre. Appeals must be based on any right of appeal provided for in the relevant policies.
Attachment 1.1: MEMBER PROTECTION DECLARATION
Melbourne Fencing Centre has a duty of care to all those associated with our club and to the individuals and organisations to whom this policy applies. As a requirement of our Member Protection Policy, we must enquire into the background of those who undertake any new coaching training, volunteering of regular unsupervised contact with people under the age of 18 years within our club.
I ……………………………………………………….. (name) of …………………………………….
.……………………………………………………………….. (address) born ……/……/……………
sincerely declare:
1. I do not have any criminal charge pending before the courts.
2. I do not have any criminal convictions or findings of guilt for sexual offences, offences related to children or acts of violence.
3. I have not had any disciplinary proceedings brought against me by an employer, sporting organisation or similar body involving child abuse, sexual misconduct or harassment, other forms of harassment or acts of violence.
4. To my knowledge there is no other matter that the club may consider to constitute a risk to its members, employees, volunteers, athletes or reputation by engaging me.
5. I will notify the Directors of the club immediately upon becoming aware that any of the matters set out in clauses 1 to 4 above has changed.
Declared in the State/Territory of ……………………………………….………………………….
on …….../……./……….(date) Signature ………………………………………………………….
Parent/Guardian Consent (in respect of a person under the age of 18 years)
I have read and understood the declaration provided by my child. I confirm and warrant that the contents of the declaration provided by my child are true and correct in every particular.
Name:……………………………………………….…….
Signature:…………………………………………………
Date: ………………………………………. …………….
Attachment 1.2: WORKING WITH CHILDREN CHECK REQUIREMENTS
Working with Children Checks aim to create a child-safe environment and to protect children and young people involved in our sport from physical and sexual harm.
They assess the suitability of people to work with children and young people and can involve:
• criminal history checks;
• signed declarations;
• referee checks; and
• other relevant background checks to assess a person’s suitability to work with children and young people.
Victoria
Contact the Department of Justice
Website: www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 652 879
Attachment 2: CODES OF Conduct
Attachment 3: DUTY STATEMENTS
[insert]
Attachment 4: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND DOCUMENTS
RECORD OF COMPLAINT
Name of person receiving complaint Date: / /
Complainant’s Name
Over 18 Under 18
Complainant’s contact details Phone:
Email:
Complainant’s role/status in Club Administrator (volunteer) Parent
Athlete/player Spectator
Coach/Assistant Coach Support Personnel
Other
………………………………….
Name of person complained about
Over 18 Under 18
Person complained about role/status in Club Administrator (volunteer) Parent
Athlete/player Spectator
Coach/Assistant Coach Support Personnel
Other
………………………………….
Location/event of alleged issue
Description of alleged issue
Nature of complaint (category/basis/grounds)
Can tick more than one box Harassment or Discrimination
Sexual/sexist Selection dispute Coaching methods
Sexuality Personality clash Verbal abuse
Race Bullying Physical abuse
Religion Disability Victimization
Pregnancy Child Abuse Unfair decision
Other …………………………………………………………………
What they want to happen to fix issue
Information provided to them
Resolution and/or action taken
Follow-up action
PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE
If you believe a child is in immediate danger or a life-threatening situation, contact the Police immediately on 000.
We will treat any allegation of child abuse or neglect promptly, seriously and with a high degree of sensitivity.
All people working with Melbourne Fencing Centre in a voluntary role have a duty to report any concerns to the appropriate authorities, following the steps outlined below.
Step 1: Receive the allegation
If a child or young person raises with you an allegation of child abuse or neglect that relates to them or to another child, it is important that you listen, stay calm and be supportive.
Do Don’t
Make sure you are clear about what the child has told you Do not challenge or undermine the child
Reassure the child that what has occurred is not his or her fault
Do not seek detailed information, ask leading questions or offer an opinion.
Explain that other people may need to be told in order to stop what is happening. Do not discuss the details with any person other than those detailed in these procedures.
Promptly and accurately record the discussion in writing.
Do not contact the alleged offender.
Step 2: Report the allegation
• Immediately report any allegation of child abuse or neglect, or any situation involving a child at risk of harm, to the police and/or the relevant child protection agency. You may need to make a report to both.
• Contact the relevant child protection agency or police for advice if there is any doubt about whether the allegation should be reported.
• If the allegation involves a person to whom this policy applies, then also report the allegation to the Directors of Melbourne Fencing Centre of so that he or she can manage the situation.
Step 3: Protect the child and manage the situation
• The Directors of MFC will assess the immediate risks to the child and take interim steps to ensure the child’s safety and the safety of any other children. This may include redeploying the alleged offender to a position where there is no unsupervised contact with children, supervising the alleged offender or removing/suspending him or her until any investigations have been concluded.
• The Directors of MFC will consider what services may be most appropriate to support the child and his or her parent/s.
• The Directors of MFC will consider what support services may be appropriate for the alleged offender.
• The Directors of MFC will seek to put in place measures to protect the child and the alleged offender from possible victimization and gossip.
Step 4: Take internal action
• At least three different investigations could be undertaken to examine allegations that are made against a person to whom this policy applies, including:
• a criminal investigation (conducted by the police)
• a child protection investigation (conducted by the relevant child protection agency)
• a disciplinary or misconduct inquiry/investigation
• Melbourne Fencing Centre will assess the allegations and determine what action should be taken in the circumstances. Depending on the situation, action may include considering whether the alleged offender should return to his or her position, be dismissed, banned or suspended or face other disciplinary action.
• If disciplinary action is undertaken, Melbourne Fencing Centre will follow its policies and procedures.
• Where required we will provide the relevant government agency with a report of any disciplinary action we take.
• Contact details for advice or to report an allegation of child abuse
Victoria
Victoria Police
Non-urgent police assistance
Ph: (03) 9247 6666
www.police.vic.gov.au
Department of Human Services
www.dhs.vic.gov.au
Ph: 131 278
CONFIDENTIAL RECORD OF CHILD ABUSE ALLEGATION
Before completing, ensure the procedures outlined in Procedure for Handling Allegations of Child Abuse have been followed and advice has been sought from the relevant government agency and/or police.
Complainant’s Name (if other than the child) Date Formal Complaint Received: / /
Role/status in sport
Child’s name Age:
Child’s address
Person’s reason for suspecting abuse
(e.g. observation, injury, disclosure)
Name of person complained about
Role/status in sport Administrator (volunteer) Parent
Athlete/player Spectator
Coach/Assistant Coach Support Personnel
Other
………………………………….
Witnesses
(if more than 3 witnesses, attach details to this form) Name (1):
Contact details:
Name (2):
Contact details:
Name (3):
Contact details:
Interim action (if any) taken (to ensure child’s safety and/or to support needs of person complained about)
Police contacted Who:
When:
Advice provided:
Government agency contacted Who:
When:
Advice provided:
Directors of MFC contacted: Who:
When:
Police and/or government agency investigation Finding:
Internal investigation (if any) Finding:
Action taken
Completed by
Name:
Position:
Signature: / /
Signed by Complainant (if not a child)
This record and any notes must be kept in a confidential and safe place and provided to the relevant authorities (police and government) should they require them.