The ARU Member Protection Policy reiterates Australian Rugby’s commitment to ensuring that every person involved in rugby is treated with respect and dignity, and is safe and protected from harassment, discrimination, bullying, abuse and other unfair or inappropriate conduct.
The Member Protection Policy is comprised of four sections:
- Policy statements regarding child protection, taking images of children, anti-discrimination and harassment, sexual relationships, pregnancy and gender identity, alcohol, smoking, cyber-bullying/safety and social networking;
- Child Protection Requirements including a summary of relevant State and Territory Working With Children Checks (WWCC), recommended screening process for those States and Territories that do not have specific child protection legislation, and ‘reporting requirements’ for the protection of children in each State and Territory;
- Procedures including step-by-step guide to all dispute resolution procedures: complaints procedure, mediation procedure, child abuse investigation procedure, conduct committee and appeals procedure, and summary of disciplinary measures; and
- Reporting documents and forms.
Everyone involved in Rugby should familiarise themselves with the Member Protection Policy and the standards of behaviour expected of all participants.
This summary is not intended as a substitute for reading the ARU Member Protection Policy (pdf - 380kb).
Play by the Rules
The Play by the Rules website (www.playbytherules.net.au) provides valuable information, resources and online training on harassment, discrimination and child protection within the context of sport and recreation to assist Rugby Bodies.
Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO) Online Training Course
The Australian Sports Commission has developed new interactive online training course for Member Protection Information Officers. The MPIO course features seven (7) online modules: MPIO Introduction, The MPIO Role, Complaint Resolution Procedures, Member Protection and the Law, Child Protection, Harassment and Discrimination and Ethical and Practical Considerations. The online component of the course is free.
MPIO Online Training is available via the ASC Learning website https://learning.ausport.gov.au