Wellington Shire Council's vision is for happy people, healthy environment and thriving communities.
After Hours Emergency
1300 366 244Wellington Shire Council 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.
Child abuse is defined as an act (or series of acts) that endangers a child or young person's physical or emotional and development. It may include:
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:
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:
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:
Why Report Child Abuse?
There are a number of organisations who provide free online tools, training and resources for small businesses, communities, volunteers and sporting groups to support them to implement Child Safe practices and be compliant with the Victorian Child Safe Standards:
Information for organisations, children and young people, parents, carers and community members.
The department responsible for child protection, prevention of family violence, housing, disability, LGBTIQA+, equality, veterans and the Offices for Women and Youth.
Access point for women, children and young people who are experiencing family violence.
Offers a range of practical tools for implementing child safe practices in organisations and clubs.
Online education program to assist sporting communities and clubs to implement and understand the 11 Victorian Child Safe Standards.
Current Government initiative. A toolkit to help adults have preventative conversations about child sexual abuse with children, young people, other adults and organisations.
The eSafety Commissioner is Australia’s national independent regulator for online safety. The eSafety website includes advice for children and young people to have safe experiences online.
Peak body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience.
Free and confidential legal advice for children and young people.
Free, private and confidential phone and online counselling.
National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing free and confidential phone and online service for young people 12-25 years.
Online counselling
Ph. 1800 650 890 (9am-1am)
Free and confidential calls and chats with trained mental health professionals.
Counselling via online chat
1300 22 4636 (Available 24/7)
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
Counselling via online chat (7pm to midnight)
Text (12pm to midnight)
13 11 14 (Available 24/7)
Support for young people 12 to 25 years who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
03 9977 0077 or 1800 800 531 (Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-6pm)
Bullying. No Way! provides information, ideas and where to get help if you are being bullied.
Youth Affairs Council Victoria (YACVic) is the peak body and leading policy advocate for young people and the youth sector in Victoria.
Koorie Youth Council advocates to government and community to advance the rights and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.
The Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) is an advocacy organisation that works with disabled young people who are aged 12 to 25.
Connects LGBTIQA+ people to the services they need.