Safeguarding Committee
Safeguarding
At Risen Christ Parish we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable persons as a central and fundamental responsibility of our parish. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel.
Our Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct and associated policies and procedures have a specific focus on safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable persons at Risen Christ parish; against sexual, physical, psychological and emotional abuse or neglect.
Safeguarding Committee
The Risen Christ Safeguarding Committee provides advice to, and works with the parish leadership team, to ensure policies, processes and practices are in place to protect children, young people and vulnerable persons.
The Committee’s role in assisting the leadership team is to ensure that the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons Policy is embedded in both faith communities within the parish.
Members of the Safeguarding Team are:
Fr Michael Sierakowski – Moderator
Peter Williams – Safeguarding Officer
John Ramsdale
Mark Kulkens
Lorraine Furtado
Nika Cseh
Frances Sullivan
Anne Williams
If you see something that concerns you, please contact our Child Safeguarding Officer at:
RisenChrist.ChildSafety@cam.org.au
Safeguarding Committee Minutes of Meetings
Safeguarding Minutes February 2026
Safeguarding Minutes November 2025
Safeguarding Minutes August 2025
Safeguarding Minutes February 2025
Safeguarding Minutes November 2024
Safeguarding Minutes August 2024
Safeguarding Minutes February 2024
Reporting Abuse or Safety-Related Matters
The safety of children, young people and vulnerable persons is paramount. All concerns, allegations or complaints of abuse will be taken seriously, and acted upon consistent with the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne’s moral, ethical and legal obligations to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable persons.
It is a requirement of this policy that all clergy, employees and volunteers, make a report if they have formed a reasonable belief that a children, young people and vulnerable persons has experienced abuse, is experiencing abuse or is at risk of harm in the course of their ministry or work. Not reporting abuse or misconduct that places children, young people and vulnerable persons at risk of harm is a breach of the Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons Policy.
Making an abuse report involves notifying statutory authorities and the Safeguarding Unit of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in a timely manner (as soon as practicable after forming a reasonable belief, unless the children, young people or vulnerable persons is in imminent danger).
Reporting to the Safeguarding Unit ensures that parishes, agencies and entities across the Archdiocese report and respond appropriately to concerns, allegations of complaints in relation to safety of children, young people and vulnerable persons.
Access the following poster, to view a simplified flowchart approach to reporting abuse or misconduct.
Poster-A4-Reporting-abuse-or-safety-related-misconduct_V2_2023-03-29-041716_kdxi.pdf
Immediate danger If a child, young person or vulnerable person is in imminent danger, a report to Victoria Police must be made immediately (phone ‘000’). |
In Victoria, alleged child abuse perpetrated by:
§ clergy, employees and volunteers is reported to the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) within Victoria Police
§ a family member is reported to Child Protection - Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
§ a child or young person is reported to Child Protection (DHHS) and/or the SOCIT (Victoria Police) (e.g. sexually harmful behaviour, aggression, violence, online exploitation).
VICTORIA POLICE
Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT): www.police.vic.gov.au
CHILD PROTECTION (DHHS)
North and West (Metro) region: 1300 664 9777
South region: 1300 655 795
East region: 1300 360 391
West (Rural) region: 1800 075 599
After-hours and weekends: 13 12 78
Safeguarding Unit and Pathways role in relation to reports of alleged child-related misconduct and/or child abuse
The Safeguarding Unit and Pathways Victoria are together responsible for coordinating reports of current and historical abuse or child-safety related misconduct and liaising with statutory authorities and regulatory bodies such as Victoria Police; Child Protection—Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH); and the Commission for Children and Young People (Reportable Conduct Scheme).
Pathways Victoria, in liaison with the Safeguarding Unit, will:
- initiate risk-management processes to ensure the safety of the person and others
- clarify the nature of the complaint and commence disciplinary processes
- report the matter to relevant statutory authorities and/or regulatory bodies, such as Child Protection, Victoria Police, CCYP, the Reportable Conduct Scheme
- offer support, such as counselling, to the person(s) involved.
Safeguarding Unit
The Safeguarding Unit is open from Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Email: safeguardingunit@cam.org.au
Parish Resources
Safeguarding and Wellbeing of Children and Young People Policy
Antidiscrimination and Racism Policy
Child Safety Related Misconduct and Abuse Report Form
Other Resources
The following resources support our Parishes commitment to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable persons.
Applying for a Working with Children Check
If you need assistance with applying for a Working with Children Check, please contact Peter Williams at the Parish office, or by emailing at: RisenChrist.ChildSafety@cam.org.au
Applications for Working With Children Checks
Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Policies
Safeguarding framework & resources
Encouraging the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision making
Empowering children and young people
Parish Safeguarding Risk Management Strategy
Victorian Government Standards
Victorian Child Safe Standards
National Catholic Safeguarding Standards
National Catholic Safeguarding Standards document
Safeguarding Unit Online Training Modules
The Safeguarding Unit have developed a number of online training modules. (More modules will be included as they become available)
Safeguarding Essentials Online Training Module
Safeguarding Essentials is an online training module for all clergy, parish staff and volunteers within the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. This online resource provides clergy, parish staff and volunteers with foundational knowledge in relation to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable persons from abuse and harm.
Volunteers will be required to complete the training every 3 years.
The Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct has now been embedded into the training module dashboard to be read and signed by each individual.
How to access the training
To access the online training go to: www.safeguarding.melbournecatholic.org
To login, you will need:
- your unique Working with Children Check ID/VIT ID number
- an email address
Upon registration you will be asked to identify your role within the parish i.e. a member of clergy, parish staff or volunteer.
Access to Webinars and Training Videos
The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne (melbournecatholic.org) (To access other current Webinars and Training Videos)
Safeguarding Risk Management Fundamentals e-Learning video modules
If you have completed any of the above modules, please notify Peter at the Parish Office, so that we can keep a list of people who have completed them.