Child Safety

Our commitment to child safety

Aqua Energy 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 of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, culturally and linguistically diverse children, and to the safety of gender diverse children and children with a disability. We aim to create enriching experiences for children and young people, ensuring they feel safe, happy, and empowered.

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Where to report child abuse?

All adults in Victoria have a responsibility to report if they know or suspect that a child is being abused. We all have a role to play in keeping children and young people safe from abuse and harm. If you suspect or know a child or young person is being abused, you must report it.‍

In an emergency:

If a child or young person is in immediate danger call 000 and ask for the police.

Where you have immediate concerns about the safety of a child or young person contact the State Government Child Protection services:

• 1300 664 977 - Monday to Friday, 8.45am to 5pm

• 13 12 78 - Monday to Friday, 5pm to 9am and 24 hours on weekends and Public Holidays

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Aqua Energy's reporting responsibilities

We encourage children, young people and their families to speak up if they are worried about a child safe concern. Children and young people might like to get support from someone they trust like a family member, friend or another adult that helps them feel safe.  

A support person can be with the child or young person, or they can speak up for them when they raise a child safe concern.

A child safe concern can be reported to Council in these ways:

• In person: Visit any Council Customer Service Centre and ask to speak with the Manager People & Capability or General Manager Corporate Services
• By phone: Call Customer Service on 1300 366 244 and ask to speak with the Manager People & Capability
• By email: childsafety@wellington.vic.gov.au‍
• In writing: post in an envelope marked Private and Confidential to: Manager People and Capability, PO Box 506, Sale, VIC 3850

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See something, say something

The failure to disclose offence applies to all adults in Victoria.

Any adult who has a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 years of age has an obligation to report that information to the police by calling:

• Emergency 000 if a child is in immediate danger or
• Sale Police Station on (03) 5142 2200 if a child isn’t in immediate danger

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Why Report Child Abuse?

• Reporting child abuse is the important first step in helping children and young people who are experiencing abuse and neglect.
• Child abuse can have a devastating impact on the lives of children and young people and failing to report means that the child or young person could continue to experience abuse.
• Taking action ensures that children, young people and families get the help and support they need.
• When concerns, disclosures or allegations are not acted upon, the perpetrator can keep abusing children and may move from organisation to organisation, community to community or continue to abuse within their own family.

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Resources and Further Information

For more information on our responsibilities in keeping children safe visit www.wellington.vic.gov.au/council/child-safety.