New cultural safety guidance from the Commission for Children and Young People will help organisations meet their legal obligations under the Child Safe Standards to keep Aboriginal children and young people safe from abuse.
‘We know that the cultural identity of Aboriginal children and young people is central to their safety and wellbeing, and under Child Safe Standard 1, organisations must take active the steps to achieve that,’ said Meena Singh, Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
Commissioner Singh said that extensive work with Aboriginal children and young people had shown that many organisations still have work to do to create safety, and that racism was being experienced in some of Victoria’s organisations, which should be safe and welcoming to all.
‘Ensuring respect, understanding and inclusion means that Aboriginal children and young people are not only more likely to fully participate; they are more likely to speak out when something is wrong.
‘In a country where intergenerational trauma, a history of racist policies and ongoing racist behaviour continue to have severe impacts, cultural identity can be a lifeline for Aboriginal children and young people,’ Commissioner Singh said.
She said it was important to note that Child Safe Standard 1 created a positive obligation on organisations to prevent and address racism.
Understanding cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people: A guide to implementing Child Safe Standard 1 offers practical steps to take organisations through the process of establishing culturally safe environments, and to demonstrate their compliance with the law.
‘Whether or not organisations know that they currently engage with Aboriginal children and young people, they are obliged to comply with Child Safe Standard 1. In doing so, they will develop approaches that enhance safety from abuse for all children.
‘In acting to create cultural safety, organisations that comply with Child Safe Standard 1 will benefit by developing a fuller appreciation and understanding of the oldest living culture in the world,’ Commissioner Singh concluded.
In mid-2022, Victoria became the first Australian jurisdiction to adopt a dedicated standard supporting safety for Aboriginal children and young people, following the Victorian Government’s 2019 Review of the Child Safe Standards.
Development of the guidance was led by Commissioner Singh, with support from the Commission’s Aboriginal Advisory Council and involving consultation with many Aboriginal community members.
Download the accessible version of Understanding cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people: A guide to implementing Child Safe Standard 1