Statement of Commitment
We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children who access any of our activities, programs and services.
Our priority
We prioritise the safety and best interests of children. We take a zero-tolerance approach to child harm and abuse.
Duty of care
We have a duty of care to prevent harm and abuse of children.
We will take action to ensure that children and young people are protected from harm by identifying and addressing any risk factors as soon as practicable.
Safe church coordinator
The church will appoint a safe church coordinator whose role includes receiving reports, assisting in the process of reporting of Child Protection concerns (to families, Child Protection agencies, Full Gospel Australia, police and relevant Government agencies) and keeping accurate records permanently and securely in accordance with privacy legislation.
Appointment
Prior to serving in any capacity, a person must have a current working with children check (WWCC). The WWCC must be cited by one of the pastors.
Failure to disclose
All adults (aged 18 years or over) who hold a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria by an adult against a child under 16 years must disclose that information to Victoria Police as soon as possible. Failing to disclose this information is a criminal offence, unless the adult who holds the belief has a reasonable excuse not to disclose the information, such as they fear for their safety or that of another person.
Risk mitigation plan
- In an emergency call 000
- To report concerns about the immediate safety of a child call the Department of Health and Human Services Child Protection on: 1300 664 977
- Take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse (this includes assessing and addressing potential risks)
- Proclaim church leadership team will ensure that children undertaking church activities are under supervision. While the children are not undertaking church activities, the parents/guardians have the responsibility of supervising their child at all times.
Responding to a child
There are a number of actions you should take if a child discloses an incident of abuse:
If there is no immediate danger, proceed to Action Two.
Action 1: respond to an emergency– If a child’s immediate safety is compromised, call 000 immediately. You MUST also inform the Safe Church Officers and leadership.
Action 2: provide support to the child
- listen to the child carefully and let the child use their own words to explain what has occurred
- reassure the child that you are taking what they are saying seriously that it is not their fault and that they are doing the right thing
- explain to them that this information will need to be shared with others, such as their parent/carer, specific people in the organisation, Child Protection and the police
- not make promises to the child, such as promising not to tell anyone about the incident, except that you will do your best to keep them safe
- as appropriate, complete an incident form with or on behalf of the child or young person.
Action 3: report
- As soon as the child’s immediate safety concerns are addressed, you must report all incidents or disclosures of abuse or serious neglect to the Police, Child Protection agency, Safe Church Coordinator, a member of Proclaim Church Leadership team.
- Fill out an incident report by clicking here