Child Safe Standards
From 1 January 2017, the Child Safe Standards will apply to sporting organisations that operate and provide sporting services to children within Victoria (including National Sporting Organisations). The Standards apply to organisations as a whole, not only the areas that work with children It takes many components to build an organisation with a culture of child safety. The Standards should act as a starting point from which your organisation can take action.
The Child Safe Standards incorporate:
1. Strategies to embed an organisational culture of child safety, including through effective leadership arrangements
2. A child safe policy or statement of commitment to child safety
3. A code of conduct that establishes clear expectations for appropriate behaviour with children
4. Screening, supervision, training and other human resources practices that reduce the risk of child abuse by new and existing personnel
5. Processes for responding to and reporting suspected child abuse
6. Strategies to identify and reduce or remove risks of child abuse
7. Strategies to promote the participation and empowerment of children.
Visit VicSport for additional information and resources.
Our integrity rules
The following policies are now in place and complaints related to these policies are handled by Sport Integrity Australia:
• National Integrity Framework
• Member Protection
• Child Safeguarding
• Improper Use of Drugs & Medicines
• Competition Manipulation and Sports Wagering
• Complaints, Disputes & Discipline
• Anti-doping
For more information about these policies visit Volleyball Australia’s website.
Reporting Integrity Concerns
In 2022, Volleyball Australia adopted the National Integrity Framework. This means that from 27 July 2022, concerns or complaints about alleged integrity breaches (including member protection) can be reported directly to Sport Integrity Australia by filling out the webform on the Sport Integrity Australia website.
All alleged breaches in relation to our National Integrity Framework and associated integrity policies will be managed under the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy.
To report a breach of an integrity policy, submit directly to Sport Integrity Australia via:
• Sport Integrity Australia Complaint Form
• Phone: 13 000 27232
For all other complaints, report directly to your local club management or alternatively Volleyball Victoria – 9794 0009
A breach under the National Integrity Framework
Anything that may constitute Prohibited Conduct in a integrity policy must be reported to Sport Integrity Australia. The full list of Prohibited Conduct is available here but includes things such as:
• Abuse
• Bullying
• Harassment
• Sexual Misconduct
• Unlawful Discrimination
• Victimisation
• Misconduct with a Child
• Grooming
• Supply of Drugs or Alcohol to a Child
• Match fixing and other types of Competition Manipulation
• Supplying inside information for the purposes of gambling
• Betting on Volleyball events
• Unlawful use of over the counter or prescription drugs
• Inappropriate use or provision of supplements
• Illicit drug use
• Concealing information about Prohibited Conduct
• Doping (managed under the Volleyball Australia Anti-Doping Policy)
Lodging a Complaint
To report a breach of an integrity policy (safeguarding, drugs and medicine, match-fixing), submit directly to Sport Integrity Australia via:
• Sport Integrity Australia website
• Phone: 13 000 27232
For all other complaints, report directly to your local club management or alternatively Volleyball Victoria – 9794 0009
Confused about where to submit your complaint – here is a factsheet about where to report your concerns.
Education, resources and awareness
When it comes to sport integrity, it is critical that our athletes and support personnel are aware of their rights and responsibilities. There are a range of tools and resources available to help keep participants informed.
More information about available resources can be found at https://volleyball.org.au/integrity/
Integrity eLearning
Sport Integrity Australia eLearning offers a number of online courses relating to sport integrity, including child safeguarding, doping, match fixing, illicit drugs and ethical decision-making courses. There is also a new course specifically about the National Integrity Framework. Specific anti-doping courses are also available for coaches, support persons, medical practitioners and parents.
Sport Integrity app
The app allows users to check whether their medications are banned in sport, find low risk supplements to reduce their change of testing positive accidentally, and check whether they need a Therapeutic Use Exemption. The app also provides direction on how to raise concerns about things like doping, match-fixing, harassment or illicit drug use. It features further information on eLearning modules, whereabouts and testing information and gives users the opportunity to provide feedback to Sport Integrity Australia.
The app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple and Android app stores.
Play by the Rules
Play by the Rules provides information, resources, tools and free online training to administrators, coaches, officials, players, parents and spectators to assist them in preventing and dealing with discrimination, harassment, inclusion and integrity issues in sport.