Respect for All
The Waranga Uniting Churches are committed to creating and sustaining a culture of safety in our gatherings and activities for all people of all backgrounds. This involves how people speak to and behave with each other, how decisions are made, and how feedback is given and received. People will be welcomed to participate and share their views in the context of giving all others the same opportunities. Discrimination based on race, physical appearance, first language, disability, gender, sexuality, family background or economic situation will not be tolerated.
Keeping Children Safe
Children and young people will be especially valued, protected and nurtured in each of our congregations, in cooperation with their parents or guardians. We make every effort to provide an environment of safety and support. We encourage an environment and culture that allows children to feel free to report any safety concern, discomfort or inappropriate behaviour that they may be experiencing.
We make the following commitment:
- All children who are involved in any of the Uniting Church’s activities, services, events or programs have a right to feel and be safe. The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to provide safe environments where children are cared for, respected, nurtured and sustained.
- We have zero tolerance of all forms of child abuse and will do all in our power to safeguard children from abuse.
- We commit to the creation and maintenance of a child-safe culture to ensure the care, protection and safety of all children engaging with the Church in any of its entities.
- Abuse thrives on secrecy. To prevent child abuse across the Church, we are committed to providing clear leadership and open and transparent governance to combat secrecy.
- We unambiguously affirm our commitment to upholding the law. This includes the requirement to report abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Working with Children Check
All key leaders and those who lead and assist in children’s and youth activities possess a Working With Children Check. We have clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children.
Policies
Waranga Uniting Churches fully support and adhere to the Uniting Church Keeping Children Safe Policy. We have guidelines on how to promote care, safety and protection for children and young people and clear directions on how to respond to a situation of suspected or actual child abuse. We regularly review our policies and procedures.
The Synod of VicTas Culture of Safety unit launched a dedicated Keeping Children Safe website in June 2017.