Safeguarding Children and Young People
​ in St Dominic’s Parish

​Introduction
  
St Dominic’s Parish holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children as a fundamental responsibility.
This page provides links and information relating to our commitment as a parish to be a safe place for all. It includes information about
​
  • St Dominic’s Parish Policy on protection – this document sets out our policy on all aspects of protection of children, including Working With Children Checks for volunteers, and reporting any allegations of abuse or issues of concern
  • our Statement of Commitment on Safeguarding Children and Young People is a simple statement of our fundamental commitment to child safety.  This Statement is on display in our Church and parish office.
  • Our Code of Conduct - all volunteers, staff and clergy are being asked to sign this each year.  (A more detailed Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct is also recommended reading.)

Sections further down this webpage provide details on:

​

Any queries, comments, suggestions etc about making our parish as safe as possible for children, young people and all who might be vulnerable would be welcomed.  You should feel free to contact any of:

PARISH STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

St Dominic’s Parish East Camberwell holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children as a fundamental responsibility of the Church. This commitment is drawn from, and inherent to, the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the dignity of each human person at the heart of the Gospel. A culture of safety within the Church ensures that children can actively and fully participate in the life of the Church and realise their potential in a faith community.
  • We are committed to upholding the safety and dignity of each child and young person and ensuring that they are able to grow and develop in a caring and supportive environment in our Church.
  • We are committed to creating a child safe culture across the Archdiocese that safeguards children and young people from all forms of abuse.
  • We are committed to zero tolerance of all forms child abuse and discrimination, and will always act to safeguard children and young people and report suspected abuse promptly to the appropriate authorities.
  • We are committed to ensuring that all persons who have, or may be expected to have, contact with children and young people acknowledge their responsibility to safeguard children and young people from abuse and discrimination.

​Click on the file below for the full text of our parish Statement of Commitment.
st_dominics_commitment_statement.pdf
File Size: 148 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
​Follow this link for the Framework on ‘Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Persons’ of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, of which we are part. https://cam.org.au/safeguarding-children-young-people-and-vulnerable-persons/

St Dominic's Parish Safeguarding Children and Young People Committee

Our safeguarding Committee is appointed by the Parish Priest and Parish Pastoral Council, to ensure that the safety of children and young people is embedded across the parish, and that all compliance requirements are met.  Click here for the terms of reference of the Committee.
The Committee was formed in August 2020.  It’s early work will focus on a parish safeguarding policy, and a Code of Conduct.
Membership of the Committee comprises
  • Denis Fitzgerald, parishioner, Chair
  • Rev Peter Toan Nguyen OP PP
  • Ms Sarah Cleary, St Dominic’s school parent
  • Ms Damiana Alvares, Pastoral Associate
  • Sr Julianna Drobik op, parishioner
  • Ms Cynthia Viti, member of Parish Pastoral Council
  • Ms Manuela Brambilla, Parish Secretary
  • Br Oliver Bajon op, Youth Coordinator
  • Mr L Pearman, representative of St Dominic’s School ​


REPORTING AND CONTACT DETAILS
If a child or adult is in immediate danger you should call 000, and any crime should be reported to Victoria Police on 000.
Anyone who believes that a criminal offence has been committed against a child or young person should contact Victoria Police on tel 131 444 or report online –www.onlinereporting.police.vic.gov.au .     
Any concerns about risks to children and young people, or any allegations of abuse or unacceptable conduct, should be made to the Professional Standards Unit of the Archdiocese of Melbourne – psu@cam.org.au, tel 9926 5621.  (See https://cam.org.au/safeguarding-children-young-people-and-vulnerable-persons/ for further information about the Archdiocese
Our parish Child Safety Contact Person is Denis Fitzgerald, safety@stdominics.org.au, tel 0418 136 372. Please feel free to contact Denis on any aspect of safeguarding children and young people.
If a matter is reported to Victoria Police, advice to the Professional Standards Unit of the Archdiocese and to the Parish child safety contact person would also assist our work to make St Dominic’s and other parts of the Archdiocese safe for all children and young people.
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