Trinity College Colac Newsletter

Child Safety

Cyber Safety

Trinity will be hosting a ThinkUKnow and consent presentation on Tuesday 16 April 2024 for all students.

 

The ThinkUKnow program, including presentations and resources, has been developed by the Australian Federal Police to prevent online child sexual exploitation and encourage help seeking behaviours so no victim feels they are alone. Educational resources are informed by reports to the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation, to ensure content delivered is addressing and responding to current trends seen by law enforcement. 

 

Our presentation will be delivered by representatives from Colac Police Station who will discuss issues such as inappropriate contact, online grooming, image sharing, sextortion and consent.

 

The topics discussed in each presentations will be linked to the relevant Victorian Curriculum year level requirements. If you would like to view more information on these topics, please visit the website here.

 

Your young person may have questions following this information session. The ThinkUKnow website has useful information for parents and carers, as does the SchoolTV website, including resources to learn more about how to help young people in your care. 

 

Following the presentation with students, Trinity College is hosting an information session for parents and carers on Wednesday 17 April, in the Jubilee Centre from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Please register your interest via the link below:

Register

 

 

If you have any questions related to the program or require more information, please email the ThinkUKnow team at online-child-safety@afp.gov.au or contact the College on 5233 9200. 

 

 

Child Safety

Children have the right to feel safe and be safe

All children have rights. This includes the right to be safe and feel safe and to have their say in decisions impacting them.

When children are away from home, like at school, playing sport, on camp, living with other carers or at the doctor, the adults looking after them have a legal obligation to make them feel safe. Being safe means they are free from abuse, harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour. Feeling safe means they are comfortable in the places where they spend time and trust the adults around them.

Children have a right to:

  • be safe and feel safe wherever they are
  • expect that the adults around them are keeping them safe
  • be given information about how to raise a safety concern
  • be listened to and for action to be taken if they have a safety concern.

There are laws to keep children safe in organisations

 

In Victoria, there are laws to keep children safe. Some of these laws are the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.

For more information about their rights under the Child Safe Standards click here.

For more information about children’s rights under the Reportable Conduct Scheme click here.

What to do if your child feels unsafe

If there is an emergency, or your child or someone else is in danger, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

 

If you or your child has a safety concern about someone who works or volunteers with an organisation, speak with a member of that organisation that you trust. The organisation you are concerned about must take your concern seriously and do something about it.

 

Trinity College has specially appointed and trained Child Safety Officers who will listen and take all concerns and complaints seriously. They are Ms Rachel McGennisken and Mrs Natalie Holt. You can contact Rachel or Natalie, or any staff member by phoning the College on 5233 9200. Alternatively, you can email safety@tcc.vic.edu.au.

For mental health or wellbeing support, you can also contact Headspace or the Kids Helpline.

 

To connect to other organisations with resources and support for children and young people, please click here.