SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

HOW DO I MAKE A COMPLAINT? 
Pathways Victoria Website
Telephone:  Pathways Victoria ph. 03 7064 3940
OR
Email:  Pathways Victoria info@pathwaysvictoria.com
OR
Online:  Pathways Victoria online contact form
OR
Safeguarding Office
Diocese of Ballarat
PO Box 576
Ballarat  Vic  3353
Email: safeguarding@ballarat.catholic.org.au
Telephone: 03 5337 7111 

IF YOU WISH YOU CAN CONTACT THE POLICE AT ANY TIME

Western Border Parish Child Safe Officer:

John Hockey, (Parish Manager), Mobile 0439 319 823

Parish Child Safe Officer (Confidential), 23 Dinwoodie St, HAMILTON   VIC   3300 managerwb@ballarat.catholic.org.au

 

  1. Child Safe Statement of Commitment

Western Border Catholic Parish—incorporating the communities of Apsley, Balmoral, Coleraine, Casterton, Dunkeld, Edenhope, Glenthompson, Goroke, Hamilton, Harrow, Macarthur, Penshurst, and Tarrayoukyan—is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for people of all ages, with special concern for children, young people, and adults at risk.

This commitment is made in the spirit of Christ’s teachings on behalf of the bishop, clergy, staff, and volunteers who serve in our parish communities and the diocesan office. The parish fully complies with the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards regulated by the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP). The diocese responds to complaints of unprofessional conduct in alignment with national standards, protocols, and applicable statutory legislation, providing ongoing pastoral support to anyone affected by physical, emotional, or sexual abuse by church personnel.

Supporting Information and Materials:

Commitment Statement to the Safety of Children, Young People and Adults at Risk



2. Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Safety Policy Purpose


The purpose of this policy is to proactively protect the safety and wellbeing of children, young people, and adults at risk across all parish activities and environments by:


    

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    Victorian Standards Alignment: Embeds the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards into daily parish operations, physical facilities, and online activities.
    

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    Governance: Establishing standard oversight and accountability structures across our parish.
    

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    Awareness: Ensuring all parish members, families, and leaders understand their safeguarding duties.
    

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    Screening & Selection: Ensuring robust recruitment processes, mandatory background checks, and active supervision for all personnel.
    

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    Expectations: Setting clear behavioral standards and codes of conduct for clergy, employees, and volunteers.
    

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    Prevention & Risk Management: Outlining clear policies, risk assessments, and strategies to prevent harm before it occurs.
    

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    Reporting & Escalation: Providing clear, transparent mechanisms for reporting concerns, including immediate emergency contact pathways and statutory reporting obligations.
    

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    Empowerment: Promoting the participation, empowerment, and voice of children and young people.
    

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Supporting Information and Materials:


Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Safety Policy






3. Safeguarding Roles and Responsibilities.






Role
Key Responsibilities






Parish Leadership
Ensures parish-wide compliance with the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards and safeguarding policies. Completes an annual certification of compliance for the Diocese.




Parish Safeguarding Officer
Coordinates with leadership to implement safeguarding processes, maintain local risk registers, assist with compliance monitoring, and act as a point of contact for safety concerns.




Clergy, Staff & Volunteers
Upholds the moral, legal, and ethical duty to care for vulnerable individuals. Maintains current Working with Children Checks (WWCC) and background checks, adheres to code of conduct expectations, and fulfills mandatory reporting obligations.




Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator
Provides ongoing support, advice, and training; monitors practices across the Diocese; and coordinates official responses to allegations or reports of child safety misconduct.












4. Screening, Recruitment & Background Checks


To ensure a safe environment, Western Border Catholic Parish enforces strict screening procedures for all individuals in positions of responsibility:


    

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    Working with Children Check (WWCC): All clergy, employees, and volunteers involved in parish ministry or activities must hold a valid, active Working with Children Check card linked to the parish/diocese prior to commencing their duties.
    

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    National Police Record Checks: Conducted where required based on position, financial oversight, or pastoral responsibilities.
    

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    Ongoing Verification: The parish maintains an active register of all WWCC details, expiry dates, and police checks to ensure continuous compliance.
    

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5. Responding to, Reporting, and Mandatory Obligations


5.1 – Duty to Report


All clergy, employees, and volunteers must make a report if they form a reasonable belief that a child, young person, or adult at risk has experienced abuse, is currently experiencing abuse, or is at risk of harm.


    

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    Immediate Danger (000): If there is immediate risk of harm or emergency, contact 000 straight away.
    

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    Statutory & Mandatory Reporting: Relevant personnel must comply with legal Mandatory Reporting obligations under Victorian legislation (including duty to disclose child sexual abuse under the Crimes Act).
    

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    Policy Breach: Failing to report child safety concerns—or coercing someone else not to report—violates parish policy and may result in disciplinary action or legal consequences.
    

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    Serious Consideration: Every concern or allegation is taken seriously. The safety and rights of the victim take absolute priority over organizational status or reputation.
    

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    Protections for Reporters: Reports made in good faith are protected from legal liability under applicable laws. Victimization or harassment toward anyone making a report will face immediate disciplinary intervention.
    

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    Pastoral & Professional Support: Counseling and pastoral support services are offered to all impacted individuals.
    

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5.2 – Empowering At-Risk Groups


Special care is taken to build capacity and proactively empower groups identified as being at elevated risk:


    

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    Children who have previously experienced abuse
    

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    Children with a disability
    

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    Children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
    

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    Children experiencing poverty, homelessness, or in out-of-home care
    

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    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people
    

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Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk Code of Conduct




Promoting The Safety of Children and Young People from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Backgrounds


Promoting The Safety Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Children And Young People


Victorian Department of Education – Identifying Signs of Child Abuse


Rights and Responsibilities Poster


Victoria’s Child Safe Standards Poster


Victoria’s Child Safe Standards – Plain Language Poster


Speak Up It’s Your Right Poster


Links To Other Organisations



6. Professional Standards – Ballarat Diocese




The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children as central to the fundamental responsibilities of the Church.


This commitment is drawn from and is inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the fundamental sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.


In 2013 Bishop Paul Bird established the Diocesan Professional Standards Panel to enhance the capacity of the Diocese to safeguard children and at risk people.


The current members of the Professional Standards Panel are:


Bishop Mark Freeman

Fr Marcello Colasante, Vicar General

Jacqueline Righetti, Manager Child Safey, DOBCEL

Mr Ross Wheatland, Diocesan Business Manager

Ms Maureen Waddington, Director of Mission, St John of God Hospital, Ballarat


Safeguarding Office:


Ross Wheatland

PO Box 576

BALLARAT  VIC  3353

Ph: (03) 5337 7126

Email: Safeguarding Office




Diocesan Policy Documents



Seeking Support?


If you are distressed or wish to speak with someone about any issue relating to sexual abuse, click here for information.


How do I make a complaint?


By Phone:


RING The Towards Healing HELP LINE – ph: 1800 816 030 (free call)


    

  • Ring and say you wish to make a complaint. You will be put in touch with a Contact Person living in your part of the State.
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  • The Contact Person will arrange a meeting at a location to suit you. The Contact Person will document your complaint.
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You can ring the Help Line number if you wish to:


    

  • Talk in confidence about what happened, and about your current situation.
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  • Make an official complaint which will be registered and investigated using the Towards Healing Process.
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  • Ask in confidence for assistance and support (e.g. counselling)
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In Writing:


Professional Standards Resource Group (Victoria)

PO Box 6186

Mildura West 3500

Email: towardsh@ncable.com.au


IF YOU WISH YOU CAN CONTACT THE POLICE AT ANY TIME