CHILD SAFETY STANDARDS
Mornington District Basketball Association is committed to Child Protection. The information provided on this page is currently being reviewed and updated in line with the introduction of renewed Child Safety Standards in Victoria. Please check back regularly for updates.
Basketball Victoria Child Safety Podcast?
To learn more about child safety in basketball you can listen to Basketball Victoria - Child Safety Officer, Sarah Wolokh, who discuss how as coaches, we can make a safe and welcoming environment for all our children in the sport. This podcast looks at what best practice is, the things we need to be mindful of, and how coaches can protect themselves as well as the players. You can find the Child Safe Standards and Sarah’s contact details on the Basketball Victoria website here: https://www.basketballvictoria.com.au/resources/association-resources/child-safe-standards
Talking Split S8 E18 - Child Safe Standards (basketballvictoria.com.au)
What are the Child Safety Standards?
Child safety in sport means protecting children from abuse, providing safe, quality experiences and empowering children’s voices. The Victorian Government’s Betrayal of Trust report and the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse highlighted just how significant an issue child safety is within sport and that action is required now.
Basketball Victoria and Mornington District Basketball Association (MDBA) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. We support the rights of the child and will act without hesitation to ensure a child safe environment is maintained at all times.
The Victorian Child Safety Standards apply to sporting organisations that operate and provide sporting services to children within Victoria (including National Sporting Organisations). There are several different requirements which make up the standards, and which sports will be required to comply.
The standards relate to child protection within your Association or Club, and include requirements to have practices, procedures and policies in place. Basketball organisations should be reviewing their compliance with the standards, as well as checking if the culture and environment within their organisation is supportive and protective of children.
To view the Basketball Victoria and Basketball Australia Child Safeguarding Policy, please follow this link: Basketball Victoria + Basketball Australia Child Safeguarding Policy
Statement of Commitment to Child Protection
To read the Mornington District Basketball Association Statement of Commitment to Child Protection, please follow this link: https://www.morningtonbasketball.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Statement-of-Commitment-to-Child-Protection-update-Oct-2023.pdf
Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct
The Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct (this Code) aims to protect children and young people and reduce any opportunities for abuse or harm to occur. It aligns with Basketball Victoria’s Child Safeguarding Policy as well as the Victorian Child Safe Standards to help guide all Basketball Victoria participants on expected behaviour and how to best support children and young people. This Code applies to
all people involved in Basketball Victoria’s activities, including:
- Any adult involved in basketball.
- Any young person involved in basketball who is in a position of providing guidance, advice or authority to other children and young people.
To view the Code of Conduct in its entirety please follow this link odupej900740gc4w (basketballvictoria.com.au)
How to Make a Complaint in regards to Suspected Child Abuse
Basketball Victoria and Mornington District Basketball Association (MDBA) are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of Children in basketball by providing a safe and inclusive environment and by ensuring that everyone involved in basketball is educated and informed of their responsibilities to protect and look after Children.
All Children have the right to feel safe and protected from all forms of abuse, harm, and neglect. Children have the right to take part in sport in a safe, positive, and enjoyable environment. Basketball Victoria aims to create and maintain an inclusive, child-safe environment that is understood, endorsed, implemented, and adhered to by everyone involved in basketball.
‘Child Abuse’ means any type of abuse (including physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and inappropriate use of power) that has caused, is causing or is likely to cause harm to a person’s wellbeing, whether in person or as the result of a publication viewable by any other person by any means.
You should refer to the following document for full details prior to making your complaint: Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy
If you are concerned and wish to make a complaint in regards to suspected child abuse please contact:
MDBA Vice President (Volunteer)
MDBA Welfare Officer
Rachel Oliver
mdbavicepresident@morningtonbasketball.com.au
MDBA General Manager (Employee)
Samantha Browne
manager@morningtonbasketball.com.au
0427 305 536
Once the information is received any necessary action will be taken in accordance with the Basketball Victoria, Basketball Australia Safeguarding Policy. You can view this policy by following this link: Basketball Victoria Child Safeguarding Policy
Child Welfare Officer
The Child Welfare Officer is appointed to look over matters concerning child safety and abuse.
MDBA Child Welfare Officer is Rachel Oliver and she can be contacted at mdbavicepresident@morningtonbasketball.com.au or 03 5975 0067.
