This Code is intended to protect child and reduce any opportunities for abuse or harm to occur by providing an outline of appropriate standards of behaviour by adults towards children.
Compliance with this Code is a condition of engagement. Breach of this Code may result in disciplinary action or termination of engagement with Masculine Heart.
I WILL
As an employee or volunteer of Masculine Heart, I will:
- Place the safety and wellbeing of children above ministry objectives and personal relationships
- Act in the best interests of the child at all times.
- Take all reasonable steps to prevent harm
- Uphold the rights of a child and prioritise their needs
- Ensure all interactions with children are observable and interruptible
- Remain in group-based setting and avoid secluded interactions
- Ensure that any necessary one-on-one interaction occurs in open, visible environments
- Treat every child with dignity, patience, and fairness
- Speak respectfully and avoid sarcasm, shaming, ridicule or harsh correction
- Listen calmly and respectfully if a child speaks about harm or discomfort
- Report any concern, allegation, disclosure or observation of child abuse to the Child Safety Officer
- Comply with legal obligations, including failure to disclose sexual abuse
obligations
- Comply with the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
- Hold a valid Blue Card and immediately notify Masculine Heart of any
changes to its status or disqualifications
- Participate in Child Safety training, as required by Masculine Heart
- Participate in any child safety inquiry or investigation
- Respect Masculine Heart’s strict prohibition on photography, filming and social
media concerning children
- Protect the confidentiality and privacy of participants at all times
- Encourage children to express their views respectfully
- Support children to understand personal boundaries and consent
I WILL NOT
As an employee or volunteer of Masculine Heart, I will not:
- Use inappropriate or offensive language in the presence of children
- Display prejudice, or use oppressive behaviour or language with children
- Be racist towards anyone
- Develop secret, exclusive or emotionally dependent relationships with a child
- Show favouritism toward any child
- Offer gifts, privileges or special treatment that creates imbalance or obligation
- Initiate physical contact that is intrusive, prolonged, forceful or unnecessary
- Engage in any physical conduct of a sexual nature
- Use physical punishment or physical discipline of any kind
- Use sexualised language, jokes or suggestive comments
- Discuss sexual matters outside approved and appropriate program content
- Shame belittle, intimidate, threaten or humiliate a child
- Use spiritual authority to silence, manipulate or coerce a child
- Post or publish information identifying child participants
- Fail to report suspected abuse or misconduct
- Minimise, dismiss, or rationalise concerning behaviour
- Retaliate against any person who raises a child safety concern in good faith
- Be under the influence of alcohol or illicit substances whilst attending Masculine Heart programs
- Condone or participate in any behaviour with children that is illegal, unsafe or
abusive
ACCOUNTABILITY
I understand that under Queensland law, including the Criminal Code (Qld), failure to
report certain sexual offences against children may constitute a criminal offence. I
understand that leaders and persons in authority may also commit an offence if they
fail to take reasonable steps to protect a child from substantial risk of sexual abuse.
I acknowledge that compliance with this Code is not optional and that child safety is
both a legal and moral responsibility.
If I suspect that this Code has been breached by another person I will:
- Act to prioritise the best interest of the child or children
- Promptly take actions to ensure the child or children are safe
- Report as soon as possible the incident or concerns to the Child Safety
Officer
ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND AGREEMENT
I confirm that I have read, understood, and agree to comply with this Child Safety
Code of Conduct and am aware that Masculine Heart expects me to uphold at all
times the standards of behaviour described above.
I understand that any breach may result in termination of engagement, and/or
referral to external authorities.