Child Safe Environment

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron’s Child Safety Code of Conduct

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron members, contractors and volunteers who work with children and young people have a responsibility to keep those children and young people safe. Royal South Australian YachtSquadron takes steps to protect children from abuse and neglect as outlined in this code of conduct.

Purpose

This code of conduct includes details of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours in dealing with children. It:

• • assists with the protection of children from abuse and neglect; and
  • provides clarity to staff, contractors, members and volunteers who work with children by clarifying acceptable and unacceptable behaviour.

Code of Conduct

All Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron members, contractors and volunteers are required to observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children.

Positive Obligations

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron members, contractors and volunteers are responsible for supporting the safety and well-being of children by:

• • adhering to Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron’s Child Safety Policy and upholding RoyalSouth Australian Yacht Squadron’s Statement of Commitment to Child Safety at all times;
  • taking all reasonable steps to protect children participating in Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron’s programs from abuse and neglect;
  • treating children and young people with respect;
  • listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are reporting that they oranother child has been abused and/or are worried about their safety or the safety of others;
  • ensuring as far as practicable that an adult (other than a parent) is not left alone with a child;
  • reporting any allegations of child abuse in accordance with Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron’s Member Protection Policy;
  • if an allegation of child abuse is made, taking steps as quickly as possible to ensure that the child or children concerned are safe; and
  • where possible, encouraging children to ‘have a say’ and participate in relevant organisational activities.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron members, contractors and volunteers must not:

• • develop ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism (for example, by offering gifts or giving special treatment to specific children);
  • engage in any form of ‘sexual behaviour’ with, or in the presence of, children or young people;
  • take any disciplinary action against a child or young person involving physical punishment or any form of treatment that could reasonably be considered as degrading, cruel, frightening or humiliating;
  • exhibit behaviours with children which may be construed as unnecessarily physical (for example: touching their genital area, buttocks or breasts);
  • assist a child with activities of a personal nature that the child can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes;
  • engage in open discussions of a mature or adult nature in the presence of children (for example, personal social activities);
  • use inappropriate language in the presence of children;
  • express personal views on cultures, race or sexuality in the presence of children;
  • discriminate against any child, including because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability;
  • have contact with a child outside of sailing without consent (for example, social functions or child minding);
  • supply alcohol or drugs (including tobacco) to children and young people participating in sailing;
  • use electronic communication (email, text messages, twitter etc) with a child or young person other thanin connection with Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron’s programs (for example sending e-newsletters to the child and their family);
  • Ignore or disregard any suspected or disclosed child
  • Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron members, contractors and volunteers must observe this codeof conduct and accept responsibility for immediately reporting any breach of this code to Royal SouthAustralian Yacht Squadron’s Child Safety Officer or Management Committee member.

If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.