References:
The Equestrian Australia website has all current national policies, including the Member Complaints Procedure:
MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY
Australian sporting organisations have legal obligations under Australian law with regard to harassment, discrimination and child protection. They also have moral obligations in relation to establishing standards of appropriate member behaviour and to provide safe, respectful and appropriate sporting environments for their activities to occur.
EA endorses these obligations under a general policy area termed ‘Member Protection’.
EA has a proud history of conducting all activities in a positive environment where participants have equal rights and opportunities to foster and develop their passion for EA sports. Through the introduction of formalised Member Protection practices EA will maintain a positive focus and be recognised as offering member services according to the principles of ‘industry best practice’ at all times.
Member Protection Information Officers (MPIOs) play an important role in clubs and sport. An MPIO is the first point of contact for persons with a member or child protection enquiry or complaint. If you want to discuss a problem at your club or association MPIOs are trained to provide information and impartial advice to.
Should you wish to make a formal complaint, an MPIO will discuss the options available to you and guide you through complaint procedures. The Member Protection Officer for VIC is Vivienne Stephens, should you wish to discuss a particular issue, Please email [email protected]
MPIOs are impartial and do not mediate or investigate complaints.
What does a member protection information officer do?
- Listens and acts as a sounding board
- Clarifies basic points and concerns
- Refers to a sport’s member protection or welfare policy and explains what constitutes inappropriate behaviour
- Explains the complaint process and options available under a sport’s member protection or welfare policy
- Discusses any relevant laws and the right to complain to external agencies
- Offers to provide details for counselling or other referrals if appropriate or requested
- Monitors and follows up the enquiry or complaint
It is important that a member protection information officer:
- Takes complaints seriously
- Tackles one issue at a time
- Doesn’t take sides
- Maintains confidentiality if possible
- Provides reassurance about victimisation
- Keeps notes
THE COMPLETE EA MEMBER PROTECTION POLICY CAN BE FOUND ON THE EA WEBSITE:
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