Safeguarding Program
Protecting children and the vulnerable
Phone to contact a Safeguarding Officer
0470 207 707
The Safeguarding program is focused on ensuring the safety of children, young people and the vulnerable within the confines of the Catholic Church across the Diocese of Geraldton, educating the Catholic community on child protection and protective behaviours, and establishing Safeguarding Officers within the parishes of the Diocese.
All Church workers are required to complete this form.
Church workers are requested to read and understand your code of conduct.
The Aim
The aim of the Parish Safeguarding Program is to raise awareness of our collective responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable individuals. The Geraldton Catholic Parishes have established the safeguarding program in line with the policies, procedures and protocols implemented by the Diocese of Geraldton.
All staff, clergy, Church workers and volunteers (paid or unpaid) are responsible for the care, safety and protection of children within the Diocese of Geraldton. This responsibility will extend to the identification and the timely response to concerns regarding possible sexual and physical abuse and/or neglect of a child.
The Diocese recognises that all children are vulnerable. The core belief of the Catholic Church challenges us to care for all those who are in need of care and protection.
Safeguarding Officers in Every Parish
One of the main activities of the program is where possible, the appointment of two Safeguarding Officers within each parish in the Diocese. These officers will be provided with ongoing support and training and will be responsible for the implementation of policies and procedures, together with proactive measures within their individual parishes.
The Catholic Parishes of Geraldton has Safeguarding Officers appointed and provided with a 24 hr dedicated phone number for them. So that people with safeguarding concern can call and talk to them confidentially and the safeguarding officers will assist them to be in touch with the concerned authority.
Phone to contact a Safeguarding Officer
0470 207 707
Parish Safeguarding Officers
Click here to access Church workers’ Induction
All Church workers are required to complete this induction program.
Simon Place
Leonie Golding
Rosemary Taylor
Amy Zinetti
Melinda Jupp
Ron Pace
Diocesan Commitment
The Diocese of Geraldton is committed to providing safe and secure environments for all its members, leaders, and especially its children, young people and vulnerable individuals.
The right of children to be safe is paramount and will drive the operations of this program and will guide the development of robust policies, procedures and frameworks with continuous improvement that relate to child protection.
The Safeguarding Program will provide parishes with polices, procedures and guidelines for staff and volunteers which reinforce attitudes and behaviours that value children and young people, and promote a culture that is committed to the wellbeing and safety of children. It will provide ongoing collaboration, training, information sharing and the review of policies and procedures to encourage a culture of best practice.
The full Diocesan commitment statement is available at https://www.geraldtondiocese.org.au/diocesan-commitment-statement
More details and safeguarding resources are available on the diocesan website which is accessible via https://geraldtondiocese.org.au/diocese/safeguarding
WA Professionals Standards Office WAPSO
For Abuse Complaints Against Catholic Church
If you need to report a concern about a matter pertaining to a Catholic entity, whether it be a diocese or a religious institute, you can contact:
The responsible Church Authority/entity directly OR The WA Professional Standards Office (WAPSO)
Director: Mrs Saxon Gee
Address: 29 Victoria Square, Perth, WA 6000
Phone: 08 9221 7762 | 1800 072 390
Email: director.wapso@perthcatholic.org.au
Please visit https://www.geraldtondiocese.org.au/diocese/professional-standards-office for more information.
"Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3)
