Child Safety

Rowing SA’s Commitment to Child Safety

Rowing South Australia (Rowing SA) is committed to providing a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for all participants in our sport, including children and young people who take part in rowing activities across South Australia.

In accordance with the Rowing Australia National Integrity Framework (NIF) and applicable South Australian child protection legislation, Rowing SA has a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse, harm, neglect, grooming and exploitation. We are committed to promoting and protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people under the age of 18 who participate in rowing.

We are committed to protecting children from harm in accordance with:

• ✓The National Integrity Framework (NIF) adopted by Rowing Australia and its Member Associations
• ✓The Sport Integrity Australia National Integrity Framework policies, including the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• ✓The Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017
• ✓The Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016
• ✓The Working with Children Check Regulations 2019
• ✓Mandatory notification obligations under South Australian law

Rowing SA requires that all relevant staff, volunteers and officials who work with children hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC) as required under South Australian legislation.

Under the National Integrity Framework:

• ✓The Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy applies to all participants and is specifically designed to protect children and young people under 18 years of age from abuse, misconduct and harm.
• ✓The Member Protection Policy applies to all participants, including those aged 18 years and over, and addresses discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, victimisation and other inappropriate behaviour.

Child safeguarding concerns are managed in accordance with the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy and complaints processes administered through Sport Integrity Australia. Reportable conduct, prohibited conduct, and integrity complaints are handled in line with nationally consistent procedures.

Rowing SA is committed to:

• ✓Promoting the safety, welfare and wellbeing of children and young people
• ✓Preventing abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment and misconduct
• ✓Supporting mandatory reporting obligations
• ✓Ensuring clear reporting pathways for child safety concerns
• ✓Embedding child-safe practices in governance, events, training and daily operations
• ✓Safe recruitment and screening practices, including Working With Children Checks as required under South Australian law
• ✓Education and awareness for members, volunteers and officials
• ✓Culturally safe environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
• ✓Inclusive participation for children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those with disability

Rowing SA recognises that child safety is a shared responsibility between the organisation, affiliated clubs, schools, volunteers, coaches, officials, parents and participants. All members of the rowing community are required to comply with applicable legislation, the National Integrity Framework, and Rowing SA policies.

Rowing SA is also committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, and to creating an inclusive environment for children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and children with disability.

Through compliance with South Australian law and the National Integrity Framework, Rowing SA seeks to ensure that all children and young people participating in rowing are safe, respected and supported.

Resources

Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO)

Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) are an integral part of all levels of Australian sport, especially grassroots sport. MPIOs are there to listen to issues raised by members of any sport before triaging and referring them to the right place to find a resolution. The MPIO is responsible for providing information about a person\u2019s rights, responsibilities and options to an individual making a complaint or raising a concern under relevant member protection and child safeguarding policies. The MPIO may also listen to complaints around personal grievances or selection issues and should refer people to the right contact for a resolution.

Rowing SA has appointed Catherine McDougall as the State Sporting Organisation\u2019s MPIO. Catherine has been appointed as she will act as a trusted person for club members to share disclosures or allegations of prohibited conduct, and she understands the current landscape for member protection and child safeguarding policies in sport.

Catherine McDougall

Member Protection Information Officer

Contact details to be confirmed