ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST PARISH, MITCHAM

Safeguarding of Children and Young People at St John's

30 Jan 2023

ST JOHN'S SAFEGUARDING COMMITTEE

A Child Safety Team has been established and has completed the formation required by the Archdiocese. Click here to read the document regardiing the Parish, agency and entity safeguarding responsibilities. 

This is the first point of contact for reporting any concerns and any questions parishioners may have regarding Child Safety. The Team consists of:


  • Fr Dispin John - Parish Priest
  • Manuela Brambilla - Parish Office
  • Loredana Iacobucci - Pastoral Care
  • Paul Mitchell

The Committee members can be contacted through the Parish Office number 9401 6366 or by email at mitcham@cam.org.au.


POLICY AND PROCEDURES

Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy - This document sets out our policy on all aspects of protection of children, including Working With Children Checks for volunteers, and reporting any allegations of abuse or issues of concern.

Antidiscrimination and Racism Policy - This document should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy. The purpose of this policy is to safeguard children and young people from abuse, racism, discrimination and harm so that children are safe and feel safe in all Archdiocesan environments


Our COMMITMENT STATEMENT 

St John’s Parish holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children as a fundamental responsibility of the Church. This commitment is drawn from, and inherent to, the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the dignity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel. A culture of safety within the Church ensures that children can actively and fully participate in the life of the Church and realise their potential in a faith community.

  • We are committed to upholding the safety and dignity of each child and young person and ensuring that they are able to grow and develop in a caring and supportive environment in our Church.
    • We are committed to creating a child safe culture across the Archdiocese that safeguards children and young people from all forms of abuse.
    • We are committed to zero tolerance of all forms child abuse and discrimination, and will always act to safeguard children and young people and report suspected abuse promptly to the appropriate authorities.
    • We are committed to ensuring that all persons who have, or may be expected to have, contact with children and young people acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard children and young people from abuse and discrimination.

Our CODE OF CONDUCT - All volunteers, staff and clergy are being asked to sign this every 3 years.


ONLINE TRAINING: All volunteers, staff and clergy are being asked to do the online training every 3 years


Follow this link for the Framework on ‘Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons’ of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, of which we are part. 

https://cam.org.au/safeguarding-children-young-people-and-vulnerable-persons/


RESPONDING AND REPORTING

If a child or adult is in immediate danger you should call 000, and any crime should be reported to Victoria Police on 000.

Anyone who believes that a criminal offence has been committed against a child or young person should contact Victoria Police on tel 131 444.    

Any concerns about risks to children and young people, or any allegations of abuse or unacceptable conduct, should be made to the Professional Standards Unit of the Archdiocese of Melbourne – psu@cam.org.au, tel 9926 5621. 

For more information please read the Reporting Procedure

Kids helpline

Violence family Services

Child protection services


A Guide to the Church's response to child sexual abuse 

The Catholic Church in Australia has taken a number of decisive steps in the prevention and fight against child sexual abuse with an emphasis on concrete actions, prevention, education and care for victims and survivors.

This summary outlines the Church's progress at a national level between 1987 and 2019, including the publication of major events and its interaction with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

In August 2018, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and Catholic Religious Australia provided the Church’s official response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, accepting more than 98 per cent of the recommendations that related to the Church.

St John's holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children

as a fundamental responsibility.

In this section we provide links and information relating

to our commitment as a parish to be a safe place for all.



Children and young people are welcomed and valued

At St John's all children have the right to feel safe, participate in parish life and be happy. If YOU feel unsafe (this may be any form of ‘hurt’ including physically or emotionally) in the parish community you can: