Media Release: Child Safe Policy Commitment

AUSDANCE QLD ANNOUNCEMENT

Ausdance QLD has been awarded a Lord Mayor’s Better Suburbs Grant in the Community Support Category to enable the creation of a world-first Child Safety Policy, grounded by First Nations Cultural safety for children and families in dance communities.

Brisbane City Council has joined the Queensland State Government, Arts Queensland, and The John Villiers Trust in funding Ausdance QLD’s initiatives to dramatically improve systems of child safety in the dance sector.

Multiple consultation-guided submissions made by Ausdance QLD, on behalf of nearly 1000 dance teacher members, to the Queensland State Government and National Office for Child Safety have strongly recommended greater legislated control and accountability for child safety in children’s dance activities.

“Parents are often shocked there is no specific child safety regulation for dance. We’ve heard stories from kids, parents and concerned teachers about incidents and issues putting children at serious physical, mental or social risk. We – as an industry – must do better.

Our members are worried about more work, and unnecessary red tape. We all care about child safety. The development of a simple, accessible, and effective policy and procedure is a critical first step.” – Julie Englefield, Executive Director.

In the continued absence of regulation and mandatory compliance mechanisms, Ausdance QLD has begun the work to change behaviours, practices and attitudes to child safety in dance studios, classrooms, competitions and performances. The first step is the development of an up-to-date, best practice Culturally relevant Child Safety Policy, with supporting guidance resources for children, teachers and families. These resources will be available for free to Ausdance QLD organisational and company members.

More than 95,000 children dance in Queensland each week. More children dance than play AFL AND Rugby League! Improving the safety of all these children in their dance activities means more participation and a huge step up in community knowledge.

For further information, please contact Ausdance QLD

Email: safedance@ausdanceqld.org.au

Tel: 0414629643

www.ausdanceqld.org.au

Interviews available on request