On this page
All children have rights, no matter who you are. This includes the right to be safe and feel safe and to have your say in decisions impacting you.
You have the right to feel safe and be safe
When you are away from home, like at school, playing sport, on camp, living with other carers or at the doctor, the adults looking after you have to follow the rules and keep you safe.
Being safe means you are free from abuse, harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour. Feeling safe means you are comfortable in the places where you spend time and trust the adults around you.
You have a right to:
- be safe and feel safe wherever you are
- expect that the adults around you are keeping you safe
- be given information about how to raise a safety concern
- be listened to and for action to be taken if you have a safety concern.
There are laws to keep you safe in organisations
In Victoria, there are laws to keep you safe. Some of these laws are the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme.
For more information about your rights under the Child Safe Standards click here.
- To download an information sheet for children about the Child Safe Standards click here: The Child Safe Standards – Information for children (PDF 3.7mb)
- To download an information sheet for young people about the Child Safe Standards click here: The Child Safe Standards – Information for young people (PDF 3.8mb)
For more information about your rights under the Reportable Conduct Scheme click here.
- To download an information sheet for children about the Reportable Conduct Scheme click here: The Reportable Conduct Scheme - Information for children (PDF 5.3mb)
- To download an information sheet for young people about the Reportable Conduct Scheme click here: The Reportable Conduct Scheme – Information for young people (PDF 4.1mb)
What to do if you feel unsafe
Click here for information about what to do if you have a safety concern or complaint.
The Charter of Rights for children and young people in out-of-home care
The Charter of rights for children and young people in out-of-home care has been especially prepared for children in Victoria who can't live with their parents and are in out-of-home-care.
https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/charter-children-out-home-care
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children's rights.
The CROC explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. UNICEF has more information and a child-friendly version of the CROC.