Child Safe Statement

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    Our vision is an Australia where women and their children live free from all forms of violence. This statement reflects our commitment to zero tolerance for all forms of violence against children.

    Our statement of commitment

    Our Watch is committed to the safety of children and young people that engage with our organisation.

    Everyone working at or for Our Watch is responsible for the care and protection of children and young people who engage with our organisation and for reporting any child safety concerns.

    Our Watch has legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are concerned about a child’s or young person’s safety, which we will follow rigorously.

    Our Watch is committed to preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.

    Our Watch has robust recruitment, training and procurement practices to reduce the risk of child abuse by staff, volunteers or contractors.

    All children, regardless of their gender, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, sexual orientation, or family or social background, have equal rights to protection from abuse.

    Our Watch is committed to the cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the cultural safety of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, and to providing a safe environment for children with disability.

    Our Watch has specific policies and procedures in place that support our board members, staff, volunteers and contractors to achieve these commitments.

    Our Watch recognises the right of children and young people to have a say on issues that affect them, and values children’s and young people’s voices and perspectives on such issues. Where relevant to our work Our Watch is committed to ensuring children are supported to voice their views on prevention of violence against women, gender equality, and develop insights, perspectives and skills to address violence against women and promote gender equality.

    Our Watch is committed to ensuring all staff are competent to provide a safe environment that enables children to raise any concerns about abuse or harm to themselves or another child, including seeking support for children with communication support needs.

    What to do if you have concerns

    If any person believes a child is in immediate risk of abuse, they should telephone 000. Any concerns about the conduct of Our Watch staff, volunteers or contractors can be reported to Our Watch via enquiries@ourwatch.org.au.

    What are the Child Safe Principles?

    Find out more about the National Child Safe Principles on the Australian Human Rights Commission website.