Keeping Children and Young People Safe

Our Promise to you

We believe that every child has the right to feel safe and to be safe.
No one should ever hurt, frighten, or take advantage of you.

We promise to:

• Protect all children and young people from harm and abuse.

• Listen to you if you are worried or feel unsafe.

• Report any concern about harm or abuse to the police or child protection.

• Support people who have been hurt or harmed.

• Make sure our meetings and events are safe places for everyone.

We do not tolerate any kind of harm or abuse.

If Something Feels Wrong

If you ever feel unsafe or see someone being unsafe

• Please tell someone you trust — a parent, worker, elder, or teacher.

• You can also tell the police or child protection.

If we hear about harm or abuse, we will not try to fix it ourselves — we will go to the right people, like the police or child protection services.

We take every report seriously.

You can also share worries or ideas through our website ausnzinfo.com or someone outside our fellowship from Kooyoora on 1800 135 256.

Who This Policy Is For

This policy covers:

• Gospel meetings

• Conventions

• Special meetings

• When workers stay in homes

• Any other fellowship event

It applies to everyone in the fellowship — workers, elders, parents, friends, and visiting workers.

What These Words Mean

• Child or young person – anyone under 18 years old.

• Harm – anything that hurts your body, mind, or feelings.

• Abuse – when someone hurts, scares, or takes advantage of you on purpose. It can be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect.

• Grooming – when someone tries to trick or build trust with a child to hurt them later.

• Risk – something that could cause harm or danger.

Our Rules (Code of Conduct)

Everyone in the Ministry must:

• Be kind, respectful, and safe.

• Never hurt, frighten, or embarrass children.

• Follow all laws and child safety rules.

If someone breaks these rules, they may:

• Get a warning,

• Have to do more training,

• Be asked to step away from the Ministry, or

• Be reported to the police.

Reporting Harm

If anyone thinks a child is being hurt or is in danger, they must tell the police or child protection right away.

If there is an emergency — call 000.

If you’re worried but not sure, you can call:

• NSW Police: 131 444

• NSW Child Protection Helpline: 132 111 (24/7)

• SA Police: 131 444

• SA Child Abuse Report Line (CARL): 13 14 78 (24/7)

• NT Police: 131 444

• NT Child Protection Hotline: 1800 700 250 (24/7)

• ACT Police: 131 444

• ACT Child and Youth Protection Services: 1300 556 729

Families and Community

We believe families play an important part in keeping children safe.
Parents and caregivers help set boundaries and teach safety.
We will work with families and respect their wishes about keeping children safe.

What you can expect from Workers

Everyone in the Ministry must:

• Have a Working with Children Check and a police check.

• Provide two references before starting.

• Follow this policy and the Code of Conduct.

• Complete child safety training every two years.

Listening to You

Your voice matters.
We want children and young people to share their ideas, worries, and questions.
You can:

• Talk to a worker, elder, or child safety coordinator.

• Use our online feedback form.

• Contact our independent helpline Kooyoora, who can help you safely share a concern.

If Someone is not doing the right thing

If someone doesn’t follow this policy, they may be asked to step down or be reported to police or child protection.
We take this very seriously.

Reviewing This Policy

We will review this policy every three years (or sooner if the law changes) to make sure it keeps children and young people safe.

Next review: August 2028