Child safety experts have issued a stark warning to Australian sporting communities, revealing that standard background checks are failing to prevent predators from gaining access to children. The system, heavily relied upon by clubs across the nation, contains critical gaps that allow individuals with harmful intentions to slip through the cracks.
The Flawed Shield: How Checks Are Being Circumvented
According to leading experts, the primary tool for vetting volunteers and employees – the Working with Children Check (WWCC) – is not the infallible barrier many believe it to be. Dr. Joe Tucci, CEO of the Australian Childhood Foundation, explains that these checks only identify individuals who have been previously caught and convicted. They offer no protection against first-time offenders or those who have evaded detection.
"A Working with Children Check is a check of a person's criminal history," Dr. Tucci stated. "It doesn't tell you anything about their current motivations, their current attitudes, their current behaviours." This fundamental limitation means a dangerous individual with a clean record can pass the check with ease.
The problem is compounded by what experts call the "domino effect." A predator barred from one sport or club can simply move to another, often in a different region, and apply again. Without a national, cross-sector database of concerns or de-registrations, there is no effective way to track these movements.
Beyond the Paperwork: The Critical Role of Club Culture
Experts stress that true child safety extends far beyond a mandatory piece of paper. Nicky Sloss, a child safety consultant, emphasises that sporting clubs must foster a culture of vigilance and openness. Predators often seek out environments where they can build trust and authority, making community clubs a potential target.
"They're looking for organisations where they can integrate, become a valued member, and then use that status to gain access and ultimately groom children," Sloss explained. This grooming process can involve gaining the trust of both the child and the parents, making the abuse harder to detect.
The solution, according to the experts, lies in a multi-layered approach. Clubs must implement robust policies that include, but are not limited to:
- Thorough interviewing and reference checking for all roles.
- Mandatory child safety training for all committee members, coaches, and volunteers.
- Clear codes of conduct that define appropriate and inappropriate behaviour.
- Ensuring there are always two adults present during activities (the "two-person rule").
- Creating an environment where children feel safe to speak up and parents are encouraged to ask questions.
A Call for Systemic Reform and Greater Awareness
The current incident prompting this expert analysis involved a volunteer at a Geelong football club. This local case underscores a national issue. The experts' revelations highlight an urgent need for systemic reform, including potentially linking registration databases across sporting codes and state borders.
Ultimately, the responsibility falls on club administrators and committees to look beyond the checkbox mentality. Relying solely on a WWCC creates a false sense of security. Building a truly safe environment requires proactive effort, continuous education, and a commitment to prioritising child wellbeing above all else, including winning games or filling volunteer rosters.
Parents are urged to be actively involved and ask clubs about their child safety policies. Asking how a club recruits volunteers, what training is provided, and how concerns are reported can be powerful steps. The safety of young athletes depends on a community-wide shift from passive compliance to active protection.
