Commitment to Child Safety

MVAC will:

• Establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.
• Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
• Children and young people are empowered about their rights, participate in decisions affecting them and are taken seriously.
• Families and communities are informed, and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
• Equity is upheld and diverse needs respected in policy and practice.
• People working with children and young people are suitable and supported to reflect child safety and wellbeing values in practice.
• Processes for complaints and concerns are child focused.
• Staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge, skills and awareness to keep children and young people safe through ongoing education and training.
• Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed.
• Implementation of the Child Safe Standards is regularly reviewed and improved.
• Ensure our policies and procedures reflect how the organisation is safe for children and young people.

MVAC recognises that Children and Youth:

• Have a voice
• Have the right to be free of abuse and neglect to grow, learn, and develop
• Are more vulnerable to abuse and manipulation
• Child abuse thrives on secrecy
• Protecting children is a community-wide responsibility.

MVAC will:

• Implement key strategy to prevent risk to children
• Cultivate a culture of awareness, transparency and communication
• Accept the responsibility to foster an environment in which children are listened to
• Actively encourage children to have a say about things that are important to them
• Regularly assess and manage the risk of abuse to children who come into contact with our service
• Take steps to identify, investigate, and respond to any disclosures or allegations of harm against a child
• Listen to and act decisively on any child safety concerns or allegations of abuse that are made.