Safeguarding children and adults at risk
National Council has zero tolerance for any form of harm or abuse.
Everyone deserves protection, no matter their age, gender, background, beliefs, or abilities.
At National Council, our priority is keeping people safe, and our work is guided by the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
National Council commits to protecting the safety and wellbeing of all children and adults at risk, and we take steps to ensure that children and adults at risk have a say in Society decisions that affect them.
All National Council representatives are required by law to report any reasonable belief that a child is, or will be, at risk of harm.
If you or another person is at risk of immediate harm, please dial 000 in Australia or notify local police.
Are you concerned about a young person or adult at risk?
ACT Mandatory Reporting
In the Australian Capital Territory, all adults must report to police if they have reasonable belief a sexual offence has been committed against a child.
ACT Child Safety Concerns
For concerns of a child or young person's physical safety, welfare or emotional wellbeing report to Children, Youth and Families.
ACT Adult at Risk Concern
For concerns about abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult at risk, report to the ACT Human Rights Commission.
Report a SVdP safeguarding concern
To report an incident to National Council, please complete the Safeguarding Incident Report Form via the link below. Or you can contact your state or territory directly by using the links further down the page below. Your personal information is protected by law, including under the Privacy Act 1988 and National Council Privacy Policy.
Report a safeguarding concern in your state or territory
The best place to raise a concern is where the issue arose. Click on the links below to access your state or territory's safeguarding information.
Safeguarding Policy & Code of Conduct
The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia has achieved NCSS certification following an independent audit by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd.
NCSS certification signifies that National Council has implemented the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and its policies and processes support a culture of safeguarding, with particular reference to children and adults at risk.
Additional Resources
Fact Sheet
How to Make a Complaint
Fact Sheet
How we manage a complaint
Easy Read
Code of Conduct
Commitment Statement
Safeguarding animation - Guide for Society personnel
Other Support Organisations
Kids Helpline
24-hour phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Lifeline Australia
24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services to all Australians
1800 RESPECT
A national counselling, information and referral service for anyone who has experiences of or is at risk of physical or sexual violence.
Blue Knot National Counselling and Referral Service – Disability
Counselling and referral service providing support, information and referrals for people with disability who have experiences of abuse, violence, neglect and exploitation, as well as their careers, supporters and advocates.
Elder Abuse Phone line
Information and advice on elder abuse. This is not a crisis support service.
Contact Us
The National Council Safeguarding Standards Office can be contacted by email SSO@svdp.org.au.