Youth Protection - Reportable Conduct Scheme
What is Reportable Conduct?
The following conduct is reportable conduct:
- a child sexual offence;
- sexual misconduct committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child;
- ill-treatment of a child;
- significant neglect of a child;
- physical violence committed in relation to, or in the presence of, a child;
- behaviour that causes significant emotional or psychological harm to a child.
If a child discloses, or you have a concern about any worker’s conduct
Do
- Protect the child first — remove them from contact with the person concerned, immediately.
- Listen calmly. Stay neutral — no shock, no disbelief.
- Ask only what, when, where, who, how. Avoid “why” questions.
- Reassure them: they did the right thing, and it is not their fault.
- Write down what was said, in their own words, as soon as you can.
- Explain you must tell someone — you can offer privacy, not confidentiality.
Don't
- Don't investigate it yourself.
- Don't confront or contact the person concerned.
- Don't promise secrecy.
- Don't discuss it with anyone who doesn't need to know.
Then - escalate the same day:
| Concern About | Action |
|---|---|
| Any Worker | Report electronically at www.rotary9560.org/report For immediate response, phone the District Youth Protection Officer or the District Governor (electronic written report required in addition to a phone call). |
| District Governor | Report electronically at www.rotary9560.org/report For immediate response, phone the District Youth Protection Officer or the Immediate Past District Governor (who will become the Responsible Officer for that matter) |
| District Youth Protection Officer | Report electronically at www.rotary9560.org/report-dypo For immediate response, phone the District Governor (electronic written report required in addition to a phone call). |
Anyone can report directly to the Commission at any time — electronically at www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/report-concern, or by phone on 07 3900 6000.
However, it is required that any concern is reported to the District via the above reporting methods.
If in doubt, report it anyway.
You don’t need to decide whether it meets a legal threshold – that’s not your job. Nobody is disadvantaged for reporting a genuine concern in good faith, even if it turns out to be unfounded.
Statement of Conduct for Working With Youth
Rotary International strives to create and maintain a safe environment for all youth who participate in Rotary activities. To the best of their ability, Rotary members, their partners, and other volunteers must safeguard the children and young people with whom they come into contact and protect them from physical, sexual, and psychological abuse.
Incidents or Concerns?
District Policies
Useful Links
QFCC Resources
Key timeframes
| Action | Deadline | Who |
|---|---|---|
| Protect the child / manage immediate risk | Immediately | Whoever receives the report |
| Notify the Commission (initial notification) | Within three (3) business days | Delegate |
| Provide investigator’s contact details to the Commission | As soon as practicable after appointed | Delegate |
| Notify Rotary International | Within 72 hours | District Governor |
| Interim report to the Commission | Within 30 business days | Delegate |
| Final report to the Commission | As soon as practicable after the investigation concludes | Delegate |
Who's who
| Role | Is | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|
| Head of the Reporting Entity | District Governor | District Governor Rita Zappulla dg@rotary9560.org 0409 634 445 |
| Delegate | District Youth Protection Officer | DYPO David Peff youthprotection@rotary9560.org 0410 547 205 |
| If DG is implicated | Immediate Past District Governor takes over | IPDG PDG Greg Marlow ipdg@rotary9560.org 0419 033 637 |
| If Delegate is implicated | DG appoints an alternative officer | District Governor will advise when required |
| External regulator | Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) | www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/report-concern 07 3900 6000 |
| Police (for criminal matters) | Queensland Police Service | 000 (emergencies) 131 444 (non-urgent) |
Remember
- This applies to every worker — Rotarians, counsellors, host families, committee members, contractors — paid or unpaid, and whether or not their role involves direct youth contact.
- The District investigates too — not everything goes to police. Many reportable matters (grooming behaviour, boundary violations) will never meet a criminal threshold, but must still be assessed and investigated by the District.
- All records are kept securely and indefinitely.
- It is an offence, with a financial penalty, for the Head of the Reporting Entity to fail to notify the Commission — so escalate promptly rather than deciding yourself whether something is “serious enough.”
For full detail — definitions, the nine-step procedure, roles, and record-keeping requirements — see the D9560 Reportable Conduct Scheme Policy and Response Procedures.
