Child Safety

Our Commitment to Child Safety

Scouts Victoria is a Child Safe organisation. We take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse or neglect. We dedicate ourselves to ensuring Scouting is a safe place for young people.

How we keep Scouting safe:

• Working with Children Check: Every adult member (18+) is required to hold a Victorian WWCC.
• Police Checks: Leaders and key Adult Supporters undergo National Police Records Checks every five years.
• Referees: Applicants must provide two referees who are asked about their suitability for the role.
• Code of Conduct: Adult members must uphold our Code of Ethics and Child Safe Scouting Commitment, reaffirmed every 12 months.
• Training: All adult members must undertake and regularly renew training in Child Safe practices.
• Two-Adult Rule: At least two adults should be present when working with youth.
• Within sight, out of hearing: Adults avoid being alone with a child; one-on-one conversations should be visible but private.

Unacceptable behaviours

The following are examples of unacceptable behaviour by Adults in Scouting:

• Any form of physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, cultural, racial, or religious abuse.
• Entering youth changing/sleeping areas without a valid emergency reason.
• Transporting an individual youth member alone (unless their own child).
• Communicating one-on-one with youth via private text or social media.
• Developing special relationships or unauthorized one-on-one catch-ups.
• Distributing inappropriate materials or engaging in non-age-appropriate discussions.
• Encouraging or being under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances.

How to Report

[!IMPORTANT] Anyone can report any incident of unacceptable behaviour to our Child Safety Team immediately.

Phone: 1800 870 772
Email: childsafe@scoutsvictoria.com.au

[!NOTE] The information and images on these pages are republished from Scouts Victoria’s Parent and Caregiver Guide with permission.