Member Protection
Triathlon Australia is committed to ensuring that everyone involved with Triathlon is treated with respect and dignity and is protected from abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, unlawful discrimination, victimisation, and vilification.
The Member Protection Policy seeks to ensure that everyone involved in Triathlon is aware of their rights and responsibilities. The Member Protection Policy sets out the standards of behaviour expected of those involved in Triathlon and the behaviours that are not acceptable (‘Prohibited Conduct’).
The previous Triathlon Australia Member Protection Policy (2nd of March 2018) included child protection obligations as well as other position statements. Triathlon Australia is now required to have a stand-alone Child Safeguarding Policy which aligns with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. (National Integrity Framework Child Safeguarding Policy).
National Integrity Framework Member Protection Policy - Commencement 4th of May 2022
Member Protection Policy Quick Facts
The Member Protection Policy (MPP) is designed to protect the welfare, wellbeing, and health of everyone involved in sport. It provides clear definitions of abuse, bullying, harassment, sexual misconduct, discrimination, victimisation and vilification in sport, along with information on how to report these behaviours.
Specifically, the Member Protection Policy provides a framework to:
• promote a safe, trustworthy, and enjoy able environment at all levels, by protecting everyone in sport from discrimination, harassment, bullying and abuse
• protect the health, welfare, wellbeing, and safety of participants by ensuring everyone involved in sports is treated with respect and dignity
• ensure everyone in sport is aware of their legal and ethical rights and responsibilities, and the standards of expected behaviour
• protect the integrity of sport by reducing the risks of unacceptable behaviours.
Who does the Member Protection Policy apply to?
The Member Protection Policy applies to everyone involved in sport including participants, employees, contractors, coaches, officials and support personnel, at all levels, from the national level through to club sport.
The Member Protection Policy only applies in relation to direct involvement in a sport activity or event. If an interaction has no clear link to a sporting event or activity, the Member Protection Policy may not apply, and may be more appropriately dealt with under a different Policy, code of conduct or other sport rules.
The Member Protection Policy does not apply if the behaviour occurs outside a sporting environment.
The Member Protection Policy only applies if the conduct is directly related to their involvement in a triathlon activity or event.
Member Protection Policy Prohibited Conduct
The following actions and behaviours are breaches of the Member Protection Policy:
Abuse including physical, emotional, psychological or sexual abuse.
Bullying and the inappropriate use of power, where actions are repeated and deliberate.
Harassment including unwanted behaviours which are reasonably likely to cause harm.
Sexual harassment and sexual offences.
Discrimination either deliberate or inadvertent.
Victimisation of anyone who chooses to make a complaint, or plans to.
Vilification of anyone based on a particular characteristic, as covered by legislation.
Full definitions are available in the Member Protection Policy.
What is the reporting process?
All people involved in sport must report conduct that may be considered Prohibited Conduct under the Member Protection Policy to Sport Integrity Australia via the online format: Sport Integrity Australia Report a Concern Online Form
What happens if someone commits a breach of the Member Protection Policy?
Any alleged Prohibited Conduct that is reported will be dealt with under the Complaints Disputes and Discipline Policy. This could result in a sanction ranging from a warning, mandatory education to a ban from sport. Criminal conduct will be managed outside of this process by law enforcement.
