Child Safety

Reporting Child Abuse

If you believe a child is in immediate danger call 000.

To get in touch with someone who can help with Child Safety issues at City of Whittlesea, or to report a Child Safe issue or incident, please contact:

• Jemma James, Child Safe Advisor
• Anna Micallef, Child Safe Officer
• Dario Cecala, Unit Manager Human Resources
• Agata Chmielewski, Director Community Wellbeing

on 03 9217 2170 (or if you speak a language other than English call 131 450), or email: childsafety@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Children and young people have a right to feel safe. We all have an obligation to keep all children safe from harm and abuse.

At City of Whittlesea, we are continually working to ensure we have a child safe and friendly environment where children and young people are respected, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We recognise that we all play an important role in protecting children, especially if we have concerns for a child’s safety. We aim to create a culture of child safety that reduces the opportunity for harm and have clear and robust processes to follow when someone raises concerns about child safety or reports abuse.

City of Whittlesea Child Safe Commitment Statement

City of Whittlesea is committed to being a child safe organisation and has zero tolerance for child abuse. We recognise our legal and moral responsibilities in keeping children and young people safe from harm and promoting their best interests.

We have a commitment to the cultural safety and inclusion of all children, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, culturally and linguistically diverse children, children who are LGBTIQ*, and to the safety of children with a disability. We recognise that these principles support the safety of all children. 

As a child safe organisation, we are committed to providing welcoming, safe and accessible environments where children feel valued, listened to and considered in decisions that affect their lives. The wellbeing of the children and young people in our care will always be our priority. We have specific policies, procedures and practices in place to support our people to achieve these commitments. 

For more information on Child Safety at City of Whittlesea, please contact one of the Council Officers listed at the top of this page.

Council recently endorsed a new Child Safe Policy in September 2022, to reflect the updated Child Safe Standards. This policy reaffirms Council’s commitment to child safety and articulates how Council will continue to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Download the Child Safe Policy

Council is responsible for internal compliance and community advocacy in the area of child safety. This policy is designed to ensure Council complies with its child safety obligations, as well as having a positive community impact by promoting and leading the implementation of child safe practices.

Download the Child Safe Code

The Child Safe Code (the Code) is a corporate document that supplements the Child Safe Policy. The Code is an operational document which specifies actions and behaviours which must and must not be demonstrated by Council Officers and other workers in supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children.

Read about our strategy to support the health, wellbeing and positive development of children and their families

Support Services 

Please know that there are many other services that survivors of abuse, along with those concerned about others, can reach out to for confidential assistance and support.

Lifeline - (24 hours) Phone: 131 114

Kids Helpline -(24 hours) Phone: 1800 551 800 Kids Helpline is a free, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years. You can speak to them over the phone, via email, or even on-line live chat.

Commission for Children and Young People - (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) Phone: 03 8601 5884

National Redress Scheme  - The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Phone: 1800 737 377

SAMSN (Survivors & Mates Support Network) - Support for male survivors of child sexual abuse. Phone: 1800 472 676

​Blue Knot Foundation - The Blue Knot Foundation empowers recovery and builds resilience for adults impacted by complex trauma. Phone: 1300 657 380 (9am-5pm, Monday-Sunday)

knowmore - knowmore provides free legal advice and support to survivors of child sexual abuse. Phone: 1800 605 762 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)

• This includes people who have experienced child sexual abuse in non institutional settings, and people who were sexually abused in an institution or any organisation that was involved with children. knowmore also works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including Stolen Generation survivors, and with young people who are leaving care.
• knowmore’s services include legal advice and assistance, support services, financial counselling, and culturally safe supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

QLife - QLife provides Australia-wide anonymous, LGBTI peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships. Phone: 1800 184 527 (3pm-midnight everyday). Web chat available.

13YARN - 13YARN provides crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Phone: 13 92 76 (24/7)