Nipper Safe

The Semaphore Surf Life Saving Club is committed in protecting the younger members of our organisation.

Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) has developed a program called Nipper Safe, that is designed to protect the younger members of our organisation. Child Protection (under 18yrs) is about keeping children safe from abuse and protecting them from people who are unsuitable to work with children.

Child abuse relates to children at risk of harm, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust. This could be due to;

• Sexual abuse / misconduct - any sexual act or threat imposed on a child, including suggestive behaviour and inappropriate touching.
• Physical abuse - non accidental injury and/or harm to a child.
• Emotional abuse - behaviours that may psychologically harm a child, including severe verbal abuse and threats of abuse or excessive and unreasonable demands.
• Neglect - where a child is harmed by the failure to provide them with the basic physical and emotional necessities of life.

Whilst all forms of child abuse should be addressed, the greatest risk for sport and recreational organisations is likely to be sexual and physical abuse.

In a joint initiative between SA Police and Surf Life Saving South Australia, a 5 phase Nipper Safe programme has been developed and implemented by all Surf Lifesaving Clubs.

Parents and Coaches attended Nipper Safe training sessions. This hard hitting programme contained vital information on how Surf Club members shall protect Nippers from child exploitation as well as how to implement self policing, crime reduction and reporting strategies.

Jo Poole and Gaby Rigney had completed 'Mandatory Notification' training as a requirement of their employment and kindly accepted the invitation to attend the mandatory Nipper Safe Phase 4 training session to become the Semaphore Club's Reporting Officers.

If you, as a parent, member or age group leader, have the slightest suspicion about any of the children you see at nippers, then you are encouraged to speak to one of our Club Reporting Officers.

The Semaphore Surf Club has been accredited as a Nipper Safe Participant and we will continue to support this excellent initiative and keep all members informed of future updates.

For more information please contact Jo, Gaby or myself.