Reporting a Child at Risk
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR FIRST CONCERN.
If you are in Australia and a child is in immediate danger or at risk of harm, call your local law enforcement agency or dial triple zero (000).
Mornington Peninsula Badminton Inc. has a zero-tolerance policy towards the harm, abuse or neglect of a child or young person in any form. All children and young people have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse, harm, and neglect and the right to take part in sport in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment.
Mornington Peninsula Badminton Inc. has committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people by providing a safe and inclusive environment and by ensuring that everyone involved in Badminton is aware of their rights and responsibilities.
Our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy is designed to protect people under the age of 18 in sport by putting in place rules and processes to ensure sporting environments are inclusive, positive and safe for all children and young people, all the time
Steps for reporting a child at risk of abuse or neglect
Legislation regarding who must legally report concerns that a child is at risk of harm differs across Australia, however we want our sport to be a safe place for children and young people.
Annexure A in our Safeguarding Children and Young People policy sets out the steps for responding when you believe a child is at risk. Here we set out the key steps and considerations. The key message is that if you see something, say something.
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If a child or young person is at risk of immediate harm, you must ensure their safety by:
Calling 000 for medical or police assistance to respond to urgent health or safety concerns;
Administering first aid, if required:
Separating at-risk child or young people and others involved;
Identifying an appropriate contact person for any on-going liaison with the Police.
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If you suspect, on reasonable grounds* that a child or young person was or is at risk of being abused or neglected, you must report it to the police or the relevant State or Territory Child protection agency, a list of which can be found here.
If the alleged child abuse is occurring within our sport it should also be reported to Sport Integrity Australia as it may be a breach of our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
*reasonable grounds simply means that if other people had the same information would they also be likely to suspect a child or young person is at risk.
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The next step is to contact the parents or primary carers of the child involved but there are some essential things to consider first
If the Police or child protection have been notified regarding concerns a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk of harm from a family member or guardian you MUST seek advice from them BEFORE contacting parents or guardians.
For all other concerns consider who in the organisation is going to be the best contact person and contact parents or guardians as soon as possible.
Document all actions and discussions.
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All parties involved are likely to need some support (including the child or young person, their family, the reporter, any witnesses and those within the organisation who are involved). Before offering support consider the following:
Is support part of your role?
If support is outside of the scope of your role consider referrals to support services. A list of free support services is available here: The National Integrity Manager can also assist with this.
Support should include maintaining a calm open manner when listening to any allegations and disclosures, while avoiding seeking detailed information or asking leading questions.
Information regarding allegations of abuse need to be well documented and shared with the National Integrity Manager or Sport Integrity Australia.
Ensure you are supported. Managing cases involving possible harm to children can be distressing.