Newport Baseball Club (NBC) is committed to ensuring that children and young people who participate in its activities have a safe and happy experience. NBC supports and respects children, young people, staff, volunteers and participants.

The aim of NBC's Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy (the Policy) is to protect the safety and wellbeing of children in our care and prevent abuse from occurring, and in the event that allegations are raised in relation to child abuse, to ensure that the allegations are properly addressed. All complaints will be treated seriously and fully investigated and handled with maximum confidentiality and discretion.

Should a person wish to make any enquiries in relation to this Policy, please contact the NBC Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead – wellbeingandsafeguard@newportrams.com

NBC is committed to providing the highest level of safety for all involved with baseball. This includes protecting members' privacy, promoting positive behaviours and attitudes, protecting the health safety and wellbeing of members, particularly children and delivering the NBC's activities while acting in the best interests of children in the sport.

Specifically, NBC considers that the health, safety and well-being of children take priority over all other competing considerations. NBC considers that this is necessary to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all members and protect the image and reputation of the sport, NBC and its members.

NBC has a zero tolerance approach to child abuse and is committed to promoting and protecting children from abuse and neglect to the greatest extent possible. All children have equal rights to protection from child abuse, regardless of their gender, religion, disability, sexual orientation or sex characteristics etc.

Child protection is a shared responsibility between NBC, its committee, workers, , parents/guardians, coaches, players, spectators, volunteers; all members of the NBC community. Everyone that participates in NBC’s activities is responsible for the care and protection of children, and reporting information about child abuse.

NBC supports the active participation of all children. It listens to their views, respects their views and involves them when making decisions, where appropriate, especially about matters that will directly affect them (including their safety). Some of the ways in which NBC empowers children are:

·         Child voice forums; creating age‑appropriate opportunities for children to express ideas, concerns, and preferences.

·         Feedback channels; providing simple, accessible ways for children to give feedback about coaching, safety, enjoyment, and club culture.

·         Safety discussions;  regularly talking with children about feeling safe, identifying unsafe situations, and knowing who to speak to if something worries them.

·         Clear information; explaining rules, expectations, and safety procedures in child‑friendly language so they understand their rights and responsibilities.

·         Inclusive participation; ensuring all children, regardless of ability, background, or experience, can participate meaningfully and have their views heard.

·         Coach capability building; ensuring coaches are trained in active listening, and child‑safe communication

·         Peer‑to‑peer respect norms — co‑creating expectations for kindness, inclusion, and fair treatment among children.

This Policy applies to everyone involved in or connected to baseball, including (but not limited to) participants, parents, spectators, contractors, officials, coaches, umpires and staff throughout all NBC events and activities.

This Policy will continue to apply retrospectively to a person or Member following the cessation of their association with NBC.

This Policy must be read in conjunction with:

• the laws of the Commonwealth and Victoria (as amended from time to time) including but not limited to:

• Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic)

• Child Wellbeing and Safety Amendment (Child Safe Standards) Act 2015 (Vic)

• Crimes Act 1958 (Vic); and

• Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic)

NBC policies and procedures, including but not limited to:

• Code of Conduct for Dealing with Children and Young People for coaches & volunteers;

• Complaints & Member Protection Policy;

• Guide and record of responding to child safety concerns

Child means a person involved in the activities of NBC (including athletes) and under the age of 18 years unless otherwise stated under the law applicable to the child (eg, for the purposes of child sexual offences in Victoria, a “child” refers to a person under the age of 16 years).

Child Abuse is the mistreatment of a Child or Young Person that has Harmed, is Harming or is likely to Harm or endanger that Child or Young Person’s physical or emotional health, development or wellbeing and the Child has not, or is not likely to be protected by the parent(s) or guardian(s). For the avoidance of doubt, this includes but is not limited to Emotional or Psychological Abuse, Bullying, Grooming, Sexual Exploitation, Neglect and Harassment.

Child protection means any responsibility, measure or activity undertaken to safeguard children from Harm.

Grooming is a term used to describe what happens when a perpetrator of Abuse builds a relationship with a Child with a view to abusing them at some stage. There is no set pattern in relation to the Grooming of Children. For some perpetrators, there will be a lengthy period of time before the Abuse begins. The Child may be given special attention and what starts as an apparently normal display of affection, such as cuddling, can develop into sexual touching or masturbation and then into more serious sexual behaviour. Other perpetrators may draw a Child in and Abuse them relatively quickly. Some abusers do not groom Children but Abuse them without forming a relationship at all. Grooming can take place in any setting where a relationship is formed, such as leisure, music, sports and religious activities, or in internet chatrooms, in social media or by other technological channels.

Harm means Harm to a person or a Child is any detrimental effect of a significant nature to the person or Child’s physical, psychological or emotional wellbeing. It is immaterial how the harm is caused. Harm can be caused by:

• Physical, Psychological or Emotional Abuse or Neglect;

• Sexual Abuse or Exploitation;

• a single act, omission or circumstance; and

• a series or combination of acts, omissions or circumstances.

Sexual offence (in Victoria) means a criminal offence involving sexual activity or actions of indecency or any act which exposes a child under the age of 16 years to or involves a child under the age of 16 years in, sexual activity or matters beyond their understanding or contrary to accepted community standards. Sexually offence behaviours can include the fondling of genitals, masturbation, oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration by a penis, finger or any other object, fondling of breasts, voyeurism, exhibitionism, and exposing the child to or involving the child in pornography. It includes grooming, which includes actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child under the age of 16 years (or their carer, family or supervisor) to lower their inhibitions and prepare them for engagement in a sexual offence.

Mandatory reporter means a person who is legally required to make a report to the Department of Health and Human Services or the Police if they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection. It includes (but is not limited to) teachers, principals, registered psychologists, nurses, doctors and midwives.

A person may, in the course of participating in the sport or other activities of NBC , form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from child abuse.

‍If a person is concerned about an immediate risk to a child’s safety, the person must phone Victoria Police on “000” as soon as practicable.

Specific types of Child abuse include:

‍Physical abuse: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant Harm as a result of a physical injury, such as a non-accidental physical injury.

Sexual abuse: occurs when a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant Harm as a result of sexual abuse, such as when a child is exploited, or used by another for their sexual gratification or sexual arousal, or for that of others.

Emotional and psychological  abuse:  occurs  when  a  child  has suffered, or is likely to suffer, emotional or psychological Harm of such a kind that the child’s emotional or intellectual development is or is likely to be significantly damaged; and

Neglect: occurs when a child’s physical development or health has been or is likely to be significantly damaged. It refers to an omission, such as depriving a child of food, clothing, warmth, hygiene, intellectual stimulation, supervision and safety, attachment to and affection from adults, or medical care.

Mandatory Reporters

Select classes of people in the community (including teachers, nurses and doctors – amongst others) are required by law to report to the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria (DFFH) where they have formed a belief, on reasonable grounds, that a child is in need of protection because they have suffered (or are likely to suffer) significant harm due to physical or sexual abuse.

This report must be made as soon as practicable, and after each occasion where they become aware of a further reasonable ground for the belief.

Reasonable grounds for belief

A reasonable belief is formed if a reasonable person believes that: the child is in need of protection;

the child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of physical or sexual injury; and

the child’s parents are unable or unwilling to protect the child.

To form a reasonable belief, you should consider and objectively assess all the relevant facts, such as the source of the allegation and how it was communicated, the nature of and details of the allegation, and whether there are any other related matters known regarding the alleged perpetrator.

A ‘reasonable belief’ or a ‘belief on reasonable grounds’ is not the same as having proof, but is more than mere rumour or speculation.

You will have reasonable grounds to notify if:

a child states that they have been physically or sexually abused;

a child states that they know someone who has been physically or sexually abused (sometimes the child may be talking about themselves);

someone who knows a child states that the child has been physically or sexually abused;

professional observations of the child’s behaviour or development leads a professional to form a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused or is likely to be abused; or

‍ signs of abuse lead to a belief that the child has been physically or sexually abused.

Voluntary Reporters

In addition to the mandatory reporting obligations above, any person who believes on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection from any form of child abuse, may disclose that information to the Police, DFFH or the Commission for Children & Young People (CCYP).

‍Reporting Child Sexual Abuse

If a person receives information that leads them to form a reasonable belief that a sexual offence has been committed in Victoria against a child (under the age of 16 years) by another person (of or over the age of 18 years), the person has a legal obligation to disclose that information to the Police as soon as it is practicable. Individuals who fail to comply with this obligation under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) may be subject to a penalty of imprisonment.

Newport Baseball Club Approach to Reports of Abuse

‍NBC supports and encourages a person to make a report to the Police, CCYP or DFFH if they form a belief on reasonable grounds that a child is in need of protection, or they are concerned about the safety, health or wellbeing of a child.

Any person that  makes a report in good faith in accordance with their reporting obligations (whether mandatory or voluntary) will be supported by NBC and will not be penalised by NBC for making the report.

If a person is uncertain as to whether they should make a report to an external authority in relation to the safety of a child, they may speak to the NBC President, Secretary or Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead for guidance and information. If in doubt, ask for assistance.

If an allegation is made against a member  or volunteer, NBC will follow the reporting procedure outlined in Complaint & Member Protection Policy and take all steps to ensure that the safety of the child and other children is paramount.

NBC will investigate allegations of inappropriate conduct against a child in accordance with procedural fairness and will handle the allegations in a confidential and sensitive manner to the greatest extent possible.

NBC will cooperate with the directions of the Police, CCYP and/or DFFH in relation to any investigation conducted by these authorities.

‍NBC will keep a register of any allegations regarding inappropriate conduct.

Personnel involved in protecting children include the committee, coaching staff,  and volunteers within NBC. Those people have responsibilities in relation to protection of children and are expected to:
understand the rights of children, as appropriate to their role;

respect the cultural and religious practices of families who access NBC’s services, programs or events;

understand and appropriately respond to the needs of children with developmental delays or disabilities;

appropriately act on any concerns raised by children;

understand the definitions, indicators and impact of child abuse;

at all times, know and follow regulations in relation to the care of children and follow the Code of Conduct for dealing with Children & Young People for Coaches and Volunteers;

co-operate with police and/or other formal investigations to the best of their ability; and

not harm or exploit children who access NBC’s services.

NBC will appoint a Child Safety Officer or equivalent role that will be the primary point of contact for all concerns related to child safety.

‍ The minimum standard for background checks of employees, contractors and volunteers of NBC and its members is the law as it applies in Victoria.

NBC undertakes a screening process for all,  volunteers which aims to:

promote and protect the safety of all children who participate in the activities of NBC;

identify and recruit the safest and most suitable candidates who share NBC’s values and commitment to protect children; and

prevent a person from working/volunteering at NBC if they pose an unacceptable risk to children.

NBC requires staff and volunteers to pass the recruitment and screening process prior to commencing their engagement with NBC.

As part of the screening and recruitment process, an applicant must provide appropriate evidence (e.g. WWCC or other state equivalent and/or Police check) to show that they are suitable to work with children and young people in a recreational setting. NBC requires that:

all NBC committee members require a WWCC; and

the following key event personnel must have a valid WWCC:

those paid by NBC for their services );

volunteers with regular roles in NBC;

relevant contractors who may have unsupervised access to children; and

anyone else who NBC committee feel requires a WWCC due to the nature of the work that they are undertaking for NBC.

The type of evidence that an applicant is required to provide to NBC will vary depending on the type of position that they are applying for. However, an applicant will not be  offered a position until they provide the required evidence to NBC.

NBC will exercise discretion and may require applicants to provide a Police check in accordance with the law and as appropriate before they commence their engagement and during their time with NBC in regular intervals.

Once engaged, NBC will provide staff and volunteers with access to this policy and staff and volunteers must review and acknowledge their understanding of this policy

NBC requires all affiliated club personnel including Committee Members, Volunteers, Coaches and Umpires and anyone else who has contact with children to possess a valid working with children check. Any costs associated with gaining a valid WWCC will be the responsibility of each individual.

NBC is committed to ensuring that all , committee members and coaching staffreceive training to ensure that they understand their responsibilities in relation to child safety. Mandatory training at NBC includes:

Information session by the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead

NBC assists its volunteers to incorporate child safety considerations into decision-making and to promote a culturally safe environment where children are supported to speak up about issues that affect them.

Child safety is a part of NBC's overall risk management approach.

See CCYP Guide for Creating a Child Safe Organisation

It is a breach of this policy for any person  to which this policy applies, to have been found to have done anything contrary to this policy. Any person who may breach this policy is subject to NBC’s Complaint & Member Protection Policy

This policy will be made available to all members via the NBC website.

References to this policy will be included in documentation provided to all team officials that represent NBC

NBC will retain records of reports of child abuse and complaints about child safety

In maintaining records of reports about child safety, NBC will maintain confidentiality and privacy for children and families in accordance with legislation.

NBC will appropriately note identified risks to child safety through the record keeping process and will incorporate those into its risk management plan.

This policy will be reviewed by the NBC Committee on an annual basis.

If you would like to provide NBC with any feedback or suggestions to improve this policy, please contact the Wellbeing and Safeguarding Lead – wellbeingandsafeguard@newportrams.com

In addition to the regular review of this policy, recommendations for changes to the policy may be submitted to the Committee for consideration at any time. In the event that changes are accepted, the policy will be updated, and circulated to all stakeholders via the webpage and other appropriate communication channels

1. Should provide clear direction, encourage and affirm CYP and boost their confidence.

2. Should NOT be harmful – i.e., derogatory (e.g. “you’re a loser), threatening, frightening, profane, discriminatory, racist, sexual.

a) Act only within the confines of your duties/role (e.g., if you’re a coach, just be a coach).

b) Unless with express consent from a nominated committee member at Newport Baseball Club, do NOT:

i. Provide unauthorised transportation to CYP.

ii. Engage in activities or seek contact with CYP outside of baseball.

iii. Involve yourself in CYP in  private  and/or family matters, unless you reasonably believe or suspect that they are at risk of harm.

iv. Provide support to CYP or their families that is unrelated to baseball.

v. Accept an invitation to attend any private social function at the request of CYP or their family/carer in baseball (current or past) unless there was an existing social, personal or family relationship.

If any of the above occur or you are made aware of a kid requiring assistance outside the confines of your role, either contact their parent/guardian or seek advice from the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club, preferably in writing (text, email etc).

a) Must copy parent(s)/guardian(s) into any text, email, Facebook or any other form of electronic communication message. 

b) Must only communicate with CYP regarding issues relevant to baseball.

c) Ensure that any messages are polite/friendly and in no way sexual in nature.

d) Must not communicate with CYP, request to be “friends” or “follow” CYP using Internet chat rooms, social networking sites, game sites, instant messaging or anything of a similar nature, particularly to encourage social contact of an unauthorised nature.

Must not request that CYP keep communication a secret.

When supervising CYP in baseball:

a) Avoid unsupervised situations with CYP wherever possible - you should always be in view of others.

b) Engage positively with our sport.

c) Behave appropriately towards one another.

Ensure that you are in a safe environment, protected from external threats.

Must be appropriate to delivery of our sport and based on the needs of the CYP (i.e. to comfort if distressed). Unless for medical or allied health purposes by a health care professional, contact must not:

a)  Involve touching genitals, breasts or buttocks.

b)  Appear to have a sexual connotation.

c)  Be intended to cause pain or distress.

d) Be overly physical (e.g., wrestling, tickling, etc).

e) Be unnecessary (e.g., assisting CYP with toileting when they don’t need help).

f) Be initiated against the wishes of CYP (unless to prevent injury, in which case physical restraint should be a last resort).

Physical contact initiated by CYP that is sexual and/or inappropriate behaviour between CYP must be reported to the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club, as soon as possible.

No form of “sexual behaviour” is to occur between, with or in the presence of CYP in baseball, even if the CYP are above the legal age of consent – 16 years.  This includes contact and non-contact behaviour (e.g. flirting, sexual innuendo, electronic messaging or photography).

We want to create a positive environment for everyone in baseball in Victoria, understanding that CYP need to understand the acceptable limits of their behaviour, whilst ensuring that:

a) We give CYP clear direction.

b) CYP are given an opportunity to redirect their misbehaviour in a positive way.

c) Behaviour management strategies are fair, respectful and appropriate to CYP’s developmental stage.

d) No physical punishment, cruel/degrading/humiliating, etc treatment is used.

Under no circumstances is physical punishment to be used, nor any other treatment that could be considered as degrading, cruel, frightening, humiliating or discriminatory.

Must always be authorised by parents/guardians

a) You may only take photographs or video footage of CYP involved in baseball if:

i.  prior approval has granted by their parent(s)/guardian(s); and

ii. the context of the photo/footage is directly related to baseball;

iii.  CYP are appropriately dressed and posed; and

iv. the image/footage is taken in presence of others involved in baseball.

b) Images must not be distributed to anyone outside the Newport Baseball Club other than CYPs (or parents/guardians) without knowledge and approval of a parent/guardian and nominated Senior Person in the Newport Baseball Club.

Images must not be exhibited online without parent/guardian approval unless CYP are de-identified

Overnight stays are to only occur with the prior written authorisation of parents/guardians and the relevant Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club (or their nominated representative). 

People involved in baseball in Victoria must:

a) Supervise CYP in change rooms whilst balancing their right for privacy.

b) Avoid one-to-one unsupervised situations with CYP in a change room area (other than with their own child), whilst ensuring adequate supervision to keep CYP safe (e.g., standing outside the entrance to the change room).

c) Not dress/undress in the change room whilst CYP are present, unless they are playing in a Senior Team and there are other members of the team present.

d) Ensure that photos, video or other recordings are not taken in change rooms.  To manage this, consider a “NO MOBILE PHONES” policy and signage in change rooms.

e) Ensure that participants use the change room of their affirmed gender.

(a) All persons involved in baseball who are delivering a program or on overnight stays/camps involving CYP must not use possess or be under the influence of illegal or illicit drugs, alcohol or be incapacitated by any other legal drug.

b) Legal (i.e., prescription) drugs are permitted to be used provided that it does not interfere with your ability to provide an appropriate level of care to CYP in baseballand that you do not supply legal drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) to CYP.

(a) You can only transport CYP, without another person present, in circumstances that are directly related to the delivery of our sport and only with prior written approval (text or email is acceptable) of CYP’s parent/guardian and the express acknowledgment of a nominated Newport Baseball Club Committee Member.

(b) If it is not possible to get prior written consent or approval, you must notify in writing the details of the travel to the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club as soon as possible after the journey.

c) Where it is not possible to get a parent/guardian’s approval in advance, the parent/guardian should send an approval text/electronic message to the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club.  This should then be documented appropriately

(a)Ensure that CYP and their parents/guardians know the times/locations of training/matches and that they arrive before the scheduled times so that CYP aren’t unattended.

(b) Have an operational phone and register of parent/guardian emergency contact details.

(c) Ensure they are aware of pick-up details for CYP and that all relevant approvals are given.

(d) If a parent/guardian is late, make efforts to contact them, noting that it is not your responsibility  to drive the CYP home.  You should also ask the second last child and their parent/guardian to wait until the final child is collected.

(e) Not leave the training session or match until all CYP have been collected.

(f) If necessary, ask the parent/guardian to collect their kid(s) from the Newport Baseball Club rooms if there are others present, and arrangements are documented.

g) If a parent/guardian is repeatedly late to collect their kid(s), notify the Wellbeing and Safeguard Lead or a committee member at Newport Baseball Club.