Child Safety in Maribyrnong

Council is a child safe organisation committed to child safety and supporting the best interests of children in all its operations by actively promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of all children, with a zero tolerance to child abuse of any form. Council acknowledges that every child has the right to feel and be safe, especially our most vulnerable.

Child Safe Standards

The Commission for Children and Young People (formerly known as Office of the Child Safety Commissioner) has introduced 11 Child Safe Standards which aim to create and maintain child safe environments and prevent child abuse of all children under the age of 18 in all its forms.

The Standards were introduced in response to recommendations from the Victorian Parliament's Betrayal of Trust inquiry as a response to the wide-ranging abuse and neglect of children.

Statement of Commitment to Child Safety

Council has established a Statement of Commitment to Child Safety, which outlines our commitment to ensuring the safety of children and young people.

As part of our commitment to child safety we will:

  • Prevent the abuse of children and young people in our care, by identifying risks early and removing and reducing these risks.
  • Take all allegations and concerns about abuse very seriously and respond to them consistently, in line with our policies and procedures.
  • Comply with all legal requirements, including reporting suspicions of abuse to police and/or child protection.

The Statement is available for download at the bottom of this page.

Reporting abuse

If a child or young person is in immediate danger contact Victoria Police by phoning triple zero (000) and ask for the police.

To report concerns about: 

Support services and resources

Many services are available to support survivors of abuse, as well as concerned family members, friends, and the community.  Below are some of those support services.

View Support Services

Lifeline

Lifeline is a suicide prevention service, which is availabe 24 hours a day, seven days a week and provides all Australians experiencing personal crisis with access to crisis support.

Phone: 131 114
Visit the website


Kids Helpline

Kids Helpline is a free, 24 hour, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. You can speak to them over the phone, via email, or even on-line live chat.

Phone: 1800 551 800
Visit the website

Commission for Children and Young People

The commission promotes improvement in policies and practices affecting the safety and wellbeing of Victorian children and young people. We have a particular focus on vulnerable children and young people.

Available from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Phone: 03 8601 5884
Visit the website

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

Phone: 1800 737 377
Visit the website

SAMSN (Survivors and Mates Support Network)

Support for male survivors of child sexual abuse.

Phone: 1800 472 676
Visit the website

Blue Knot Foundation

The Blue Knot Foundation empowers recovery and builds resilience for adults impacted by complex trauma.

Available Monday to Sunday, 9am to 5pm.

Phone: 1300 657 380
Visit the website

Knowmore

Knowmore provides free legal advice and support to survivors of child sexual abuse.

This includes people who have experienced child sexual abuse in non-institutional settings, and people who were sexually abused in an institution or any organisation that was involved with children. Knowmore also works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including Stolen Generation survivors, and with young people who are leaving care.

Knowmore’s services include legal advice and assistance, support services, financial counselling, and culturally safe supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Phone: 1800 605 762
Visit the website

QLife

QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.

Available 3pm to midnight every day. Web chat also available.

Phone: 1800 184 527
Visit the website

13YARN

13YARN provides crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Phone support available 24 hours, 7 days per week.

Phone: 13 92 76
Visit the website

 

Related Information

Back to top