Child safety and wellbeing

Swan Hill Rural City Council is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for children and young people. We support the Victorian Child Safe Standards and have policies and procedures in place to help prevent, identify and respond to child abuse.

Reporting child abuse

Reporting child abuse is everyone's responsibility.

In Victoria, all adults who reasonably believe that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 must report it to Victoria Police by calling 000 (Triple Zero).

Reporting concerns about Council staff, volunteers or contractors

If your concern involves the behaviour of a Council staff member, volunteer or contractor, you can report it online using the button below.

Report a child safety issue

Important: The Report a child safety issue form is for reporting child safety concerns involving Council staff, volunteers or contractors only. If your concern does not involve Council staff, volunteers or contractors, contact Victoria Police or the relevant child protection authority. 

Council's commitment to child safety

Swan Hill Rural City Council is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We have adopted the Victorian Child Safe Standards and maintain policies, procedures and practices that promote child safety across all Council services and activities.

Our Child Safe Standards Policy aims to:

• Provide a safe environment where children are respected, valued and protected from harm.
• Help Councillors, staff, volunteers and contractors understand their child safety responsibilities.
• Support the prevention, identification and reporting of child abuse.
• Ensure Council complies with the Victorian Child Safe Standards.

Read the Child Safe Standards Policy

The Victorian Child Safe Standards

The Victorian Child Safe Standards are a compulsory framework that helps organisations create and maintain child-safe environments.

The Standards require organisations to:

• Promote children's safety and wellbeing.
• Prevent abuse before it occurs.
• Respond appropriately to concerns and allegations.
• Empower children to participate and have their voices heard. 

Learn about the 11 Child Safe Standards (Commission for children and young people)

Advice and support

Advice and support for staff and community members is available by calling Stop It Now Australia on 1800 01 1800.