Zero tolerance to child abuse
A child safety policy has committed Baw Baw Shire Council to a zero tolerance stance towards child abuse.
Council has made a strong stand against physical and abuse of children in a policy endorsed last week.
The statement of commitment adopted by council declares:
“Baw Baw Shire Council is committed to providing a safe environment for children. Council has zero tolerance towards child abuse, and is committed to protecting the physical, emotional, cultural and social wellbeing of all children. Council has policies and systems to protect children, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously. Baw Baw Shire Council acknowledges that children’s safety is a whole of community responsibility and is everyone’s business.”
A report to council said the state government had introduced child safe standards to improve the way organisation’s prevent and respond to child abuse.
Officers said these standards were compulsory for all organisations providing services to children.
The policy adopted by council focusses on legislative responsibilities, education and training, recruitment, privacy, risk management and reporting and responding to a child safety concern.
“We all have a responsibility to report if we have formed a reasonable belief that abuse has occurred,” the policy states.
“We work to ensure all children, families, staff and volunteers know what to do and who to tell if they suspect abuse or are a victim, or if they notice inappropriate behaviour.”
The report said the Child Safe Standards (CSS) included a list of seven principle-based standards, and council was required to be compliant with these standards immediately.
Cr Keith Cook said more than 50,000 children were unable to sleep in their beds at night because it was not safe to do so.
“The protection of children is vital in the community and council has a responsibility to safeguard all children,” he said.
Cr Tricia Jones was emotional when she spoke in support of the policy, saying the statistics of child abuse in the community were horrifying.
“For me, prevention is the key word. It is our duty to protect and nurture children and look after each other,” she said.
Cr Peter Kostos said he wholeheartedly supported council having a policy but he believed the government department for child protection needed to step up so that if council reported something it would be dealt with timely and promptly.
The policy was unanimously supported by council.