Keeping children and young people (those aged under the age of 18)
safe from abuse, discrimination and harassment and protecting them from
people who are unsuitable to work with children is the whole community’s
responsibility. It’s also a legal requirement, ethical obligation and a
duty of care.
A shared responsibility
Although the Department of Communities and the WA Police have
responsibilities for the protection of children in Western Australia,
all WA communities including the sport and recreation industry also have
a responsibility to keep children safe when participating in sport and
active recreation.
Supporting sport and recreation organisations
To support State Sporting Associations (SSAs) and their affiliated
clubs keep our children safe and minimise risk, the department has
partnered with the WA Sports Federation (WASF), Working with Children
Screening Unit, Surf Life Saving WA and the WA Police – Child Abuse
Squad to create Safe Clubs 4 Kids –
which aims to increase understanding of how to create child safe
environments and what to do if abuse is suspected or alleged.