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The Australian Sports Commission developed the Harassment-free Sport Strategy in response to a growing concern of legal and ethical responsibilities around sport and in response to government legislation.
'Member protection' is so all people can participate in activities in an environment free from inappropriate behaviour - harassment, vilification, abuse, and discrimination. It's about ensuring policies and procedures are in place that support safe and fair behaviour and members are aware of procedure for complaints.
Harassment can have a very damaging effect on everyone - the harasser, the person harassed, the club, organisation and the sport.
VLAA are very mindful of reducing harassment within our sport, in developing procedures to deal with harassment cases and keen to have Member Protection Officers within its ranks.
It was this reason that in November 2002 VLAA offered two places for each Region within Victoria to attend the Member Protection Officer and a Member Protection Officer - Children and Young people courses, held by Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) together with the Australian Sports Commission.
Four volunteers from EMR and WMR participated in the course , bringing the total number of Member Protection Officers within VLAA to five.
The Role of a MPO.
- To Listen
- To give support
- Give information on the options
Basically the MPO will identify and explain the nature and effects of harassment, explain relevant legislation, explain the complaint procedures, help the complainant arrive at their own decision on action and arrange support and assistance.
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Harassment consist of offensive, abusive, belittling or
threatening behaviour directed at a person or people because of a
particular characteristic of that person or people (including the person's
or people's level of empowerment relative to the harasser). The behaviour
must be unwelcome and the sort of behaviour a reasonable person would
recognise as being unwelcome and likely to cause the person to feel
offended, humiliated or intimidated. |
If you wish to speak to a MPO about an issue that concerns you, you are welcome to contact any MPO listed below.
- Kerry Semfel:(03) 5174 4420 or mobile 0418 301419 or msemfel@bigpond.net.au. Mailing address: 53 The Avenue Traralgon 3844
- Anne Mitchell: 0419 593 480
- Judy Wilmshurst: 5222 5967 or 0404 178470 or judyw7@hcinternet.com.au