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What are the Child Safe Standards?

In Victoria, Child Safe Standards aim to protect children and young people from abuse in organisations, including physical violence, sexual offences, serious emotional or psychological abuse and/or neglect.

All organisations that provide services or facilities for children under 18 must implement 11 Child Safe Standards. The standards were first introduced by the Victorian Government in response to the 2013 Parliamentary Betrayal of Trust Inquiry, which found that while the majority of children were safe in organisations, there were inadequate and inconsistent approaches to child safety in organisations across Victoria. The updated 11 Standards commenced on 1 July 2022 and replace the 7 Child Safe Standards that were established in 2016.

The Commission for Children and Young People provides key guidance for organisations on the new Child Safe Standards and has a  range of resources available. 

The standards aim to drive cultural change so that keeping children safe from abuse is at the forefront of all practice.

All Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities to children are required by law to comply with the Child Safe Standards.

There are 11 standards that organisations need to implement. For further information on Child Safe Standards, contact the Commission for Children and Young People.

YACVic’s statement of commitment to child safety

YACVic will not tolerate any abuse of children and young people.

As part of the Child Safe Standards, we commit to:

  • preventing the abuse of children and young people in our care, by identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks

  • taking all allegations and concerns about abuse very seriously and responding to them consistently, in line with our policies and procedures  

  • complying with all legal requirements, including reporting suspicions of abuse to police and/or child protection.

We actively work to hear and empower all children and young people involved with our organisation, through regular consultation and participation processes.

We celebrate diversity across our organisation. In particular, we promote the equal participation and cultural, emotional and physical safety of children and young people who are often marginalised. This includes children and young people who are Aboriginal, from refugee or migrant backgrounds, who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse, and/or have a disability.

All staff and volunteers employed by YACVic are responsible for the care and protection of children and young people who participate in our organisation and for reporting information about abuse.

Safety concerns about a child or young person 

If you have immediate safety concerns about a child or young person, please call 000.

If you have general safety concerns about a child or young person, please contact the Child Protection intake office where the child lives.

After 5 PM and on weekends, contact the Child Protection After Hours service on 13 12 78.

If you need information about making a formal report or notification to the Commission for children and Young People, please see Their Report a concern page.

If you have a concern about the safety of children or young people engaged with YACVic, its core or partner agencies, or you have a concern about any of our employees or volunteers, please contact our designated Child Safety Child Safety Officers, YACVic Participation and Development Officer, Sam Champion, on 0438 072 200 or via SChampion@YACVic.org.au, and YACVic Rural Manager, Derm Ryan, on 0408 674 738 or via DRyan@YACVic.org.au.

Complaints about YACVic

If you wish to make a complaint about YACVic – not a complaint about another agency or organisation – please visit our Complaints Policy and Procedure. Here you'll find advice about your formal options in making and directing a complaint for appropriate consideration.