In October 2021, a woman in her 50’s became the first person to be charged under new Queensland laws which requires all adults to report suspected child sexual abuse to police. However, the woman is being charged three months after the laws took effect. In addition, refer to the article here for more information.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse
Key Finding: Australian organisations failed to protect children from abuse because they failed to respond appropriately to child abuse incidents.
Key Recommendation: The 10 Child Safe Standards
Australian Government Response:
- Endorsement of the Child Safe Standards
- Development of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations which encompass the Child Safe Standards.
Regulation of the Child Safe Standards
The current Child Safe Legal Updates, which are all in full effect, include content such as:
VIC
Legislation: Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)
- The Victorian 7 Child Safe Standards.
- The new Child Safe Standards are coming into effect on 1 July 2022.
Read our full blog here.
SA
Legislation: Children and Young People (Safety) Act 2017 (SA)
- South Australia Child Safe Environments Program.
- National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
Read our full blog here.
Legal Updates – Criminal Offences
QLD
Legislation: Criminal Code (Child Sexual Offences Reform) and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2020 (QLD)
- Failure to Report child sexual offences
- Failure to Protect a child from sexual offences.
Note: All adults in organisational settings have legal obligations under the criminal offences. In addition, read our full blog here.
Impending Regulation of the Child Safe Standards
There are also impending regulations of the Child Safe Standards and other legislative updates, which include:
QLD
- QLD government sought feedback from key industry bodies
- Growing Child Safe Organisations in QLD (Consultation Paper).
- Read our full blog here.
NSW
Children’s Guardian Amendment (Child Safe Scheme) Bill 2020 NSW
- Regulation of the Child Safe Standards.
- Read our full blog here.
TAS
Child Safe Organisations Bill 2020 (Tas)
- All child-related organisations required to embed:
- Principles for the Safety and Wellbeing of Children
- Child Safe Standards.
What this Means for Swim Schools
Swim Schools in Victoria and South Australia:
- Must comply with the Child Safe Standards and relevant legislation.
Swim Schools in QLD:
- Understand the new criminal offences and how they affect staff obligations.
- Provide information and training to staff.
Swim Schools in NSW, Tasmania, ACT:
- Prepare for upcoming regulation
- Start implementing child safety measures and work towards compliance.
In conclusion, the Child Safe Training Hub provides your Swim School with the tools required to build and develop its Child Safe Framework. In addition, ensure you are complying with your local regulations. Therefore, to get started fill in the form here.
So do you want to know more about the Child Safe Training Hub? Then fill in our enquiry form here.