Safeguarding Children and Young People Under the National Integrity Framework

Last month, members of Transplant Australia were given a broad overview of the policies which make up National Integrity Framework (NIF) and which all members of Transplant Australia are bound.

Over the next newsletters, we will introduce you to each particular policy to give you a little bit more detail about that policy. We will kick this series off with the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, as Transplant Australia believes this is possibly the most important of all policies for us. We believe that all members of our community should make the safety and wellbeing of children a priority, and we certainly aim to do this.

Children should always feel safe and supported in their environment, and this is definitely the case with sport. Just as there are rules to control the conduct during play, there are rules which set out expected behaviour for others who may also be present. All the rules have the same desire – to keep children safe.

A Brief Video Explainer of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy:

Transplant Australia recognises that we all remember information in different ways, so we aim to give alternative opportunities to learn about each policy. A video explainer of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy can be accessed at the following link SGCYP video and for those who may be deaf or hard of hearing, the policy can be accessed in Auslan at this link SGCYP Auslan video.

For those who like to read, we will continue below with a more in-depth introduction to the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.

Safeguarding Children and Young People – Some Facts Which Make This Policy Necessary:

Unfortunately, despite the desire for sport to be a safe and positive experience for children and young people, history (including recent history) shows this is not always the case. This was laid bare by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (“Royal Commission”). The facts of the Royal Commission are startling¹

Of these cases, 408 cases of abuse occurred in sport, with 66% of the victim-survivors in sport between 10 – 14 years of age, and 11% of the victim-survivors aged 15 and above.

Additional research conducted with victim-survivors show poor experience across different metrics: ²

Furthermore, research has demonstrated that people in minority groups (including people with a disability) are twice as likely to suffer from sexual abuse, with 75% of cases involving sexual abuse being peer-to-peer abuse, and not necessarily a person in a position of power.³

Unfortunately, it is well-known that not all victim-survivors report their abuse to others, so it is imperative that we as a community implement as many barriers to those who may abuse children to provide them the safe environment they deserve, because the impact is devastating. [NSODs] is committed to creating this safe environment, and we ask you to join our commitment to protect sport together.

Prohibited Conduct Under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy:

Prohibited conduct is conduct which is banned under the policy. The conduct which is prohibited in this policy includes:

1. Child abuse including physical, emotional, psychological and sexual abuse, as well as neglect and exposure to family violence;
2. Grooming, which is behaviour behaviours that manipulates or controls a Child/Young Person, their family, guardian and carers or other support networks, or organisations, with the intention to gain access to the Child/Young Person, obtain the Child/Young Person’s compliance, maintain the Child/Young Person’s silence, and avoid discovery of sexual abuse;
3. Misconduct with a child including age-inappropriate behaviour, or behaviour which places the child at risk of harm;
4. Asking a child to keep any communication secret;
5. Suppling alcohol, drugs (including tobacco), or medicines, except with appropriate consent and under a valid prescription;
6. Failing to comply with recruitment and screening requirements;
7. Failing to report a breach of Prohibited Conduct;
8. Breaching any of the child safe practices that cover actions including (but not limited to):
   • photographing/filming children;
   • travel arrangements;
   • overnight stays;
   • change room arrangements;
   • electronic and online communications;
   • discipline and physical contact, amongst.

The behaviour which can create a lot of concern or confusion for many people is the use of filming and photography of children.

Because of these concerns and the confusion many people have, SIA has created a guidebook of “best practice” to consider when anyone is taking photographs or film of children and young people. This guidebook is available here. The guide will help create a safe environment for children and young people, but also protect adults or other children from allegations of inappropriate photography/filming.

In addition to the guidebook, SIA has also run a webinar on this issue which can be accessed here. Both the guidebook and webinar provide information about the importance of informed consent for photographing/filming children and young people, education of children/young people, parents and staff, as well as information about reporting when you suspect there is a breach of the policies.

Beyond the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy – Actions and Behaviours: 

We have implemented the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, but everyone knows, having a policy is only one part of the puzzle. We must also implement the requirements of the policy through our actions and our behaviours in the different instances or environments which may occur in sport and which may leave children more vulnerable than other times, such as:

• Recruiting, screening and inducting staff and volunteers to work with children/young people
• Transporting children/young people to and from venues, or travelling away with them to camps or competitions, whether in the same state, interstate or even overseas
• Accommodating children/young people when they travel away for sport
• Changerooms and dressing rooms.

Children and young people vulnerable are not just vulnerable in the physical environment, but they are also particularly vulnerable in online settings, such as through social media and online communication tools which are often used in sport. As such, it is important to also important that we keep in mind how we can make the online environment safe for children and young people, as well as ensure it is safe for any adult who may need to communicate with children and young people online, such as coaches.

To help guide actions and behaviours, SIA has created resources which can be accessed by staff, volunteers, parents and children alike. You can find these resources under the heading ‘Safeguarding’ here.

I Think a Policy Has Been Breached – Who Do I Complain To? 

For serious types of misbehaviours, such as breaches of the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, there is an independent complaint handling body, called Sport Integrity Australia (SIA). For complaints of these matters, you can follow this link. Only matters which have occurred after we signed the NIF on 30 June 2022 can be reported to SIA, however, if you are unsure or have serious concerns, we would recommend you contact SIA and have a confidential discussion.

If you are still unsure whether to make a complaint to Sport Integrity Australia or us, you can call SIA on 1300 027 232 and they will be able to provide you further guidance of who is the most appropriate body to make your complaint to.