Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults

The Catholic Diocese of Townsville believes that children, young people and vulnerable adults are a gift from God with an intrinsic right to dignity of life, respect and security from physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological harm. 

The Catholic Diocese of Townsville has established a safeguarding policy and risk management strategy, comprising of eight key procedures to do everything in its power to provide a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

The Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and its procedures are governed by current legislation to safeguard, ensure legislated compliance and be accountable and transparent in all ministries undertaken by the Church.  

Your feedback is valued and we want you to have a voice so our safeguarding practice in the Church is effective and continually improved.  Please contact Craig Brereton, Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator for feedback or if you have any concerns or complaints.

Alternatively you can contact the Queensland Professional Standards Office if you have a complaint or are concerned about the conduct of anyone involved in the Catholic Church.

If you, or someone you know, has been abused, or you are concerned about conduct that may amount to a criminal offence, you must report the incident directly to the police under the new Failure to Report, Failure to Protect legislation.

All contact details are provided below:

Craig Brereton
Director Safeguarding, Culture and Shared Services

Ph: (07) 4726 3264
E: cbrereton@tsv.catholic.org.au

Queensland Professional Standards Office - Catholic Church

Ph: 1800 337 928 (free call)
E: psoqld@catholic.net.au

Queensland Police Service

Emergency - 000

Child Protection Investigation Unit (CPIU) - (07) 4759 9743

Policelink - 131 444 (Request a receipt QPRIME number for your records)


ACSL National Safeguarding Standard Audit 

Townsville Diocese has embraced child safeguarding standards, according to an audit report published by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd.
The audit, completed between March and June 2024, assessed the diocese’s implementation of child safeguarding practices outlined in the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). 
The audit found that the diocese has fully or substantially progressed the implementation of 100 per cent of the NCSS indicators relevant to its operations.

View the Diocese of Townsville’s audit report on ACSL’s website.



Safeguarding Concern or Feedback

First Name

Last Name

Address

Suburb & Postcode

Email

Phone Number

Contact Method
Phone
Email
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Message

Information

Your feedback or concern are directly submitted to the Diocesan Safeguarding Coordinator. If you provide your details you will be contacted as soon as possible and your information will be respected and managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and legislative requirements. If you, or someone you know, has been abused, or you are concerned about conduct that may amount to a criminal offence, you should report the incident directly to the police.

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Useful Links

Townsville Catholic Education – Student Protection

www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/about/student-protection/

Australian Catholic University – Safeguarding Children and Young People Portal

www.safeguardingchildren.acu.edu.au/

Queensland Child and Family Commission – Knowledge and Resource Hub

www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/knowledge-and-resource-hub

Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited – Monitoring National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

www.acsltd.org.au 

Queensland Professional Standards Office – Catholic Church

www.psoqld.catholic.net.au/

National Redress Scheme

https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/

Queensland Police Service

www.police.qld.gov.au/

Office of Public Guardian Queensland – Vulnerable Children and Adults under Guardianship Orders

www.publicguardian.qld.gov.au/

Blue Card Services - Churches, clubs and associations

https://bluecard.qld.gov.au/volunteers/Churchesclubsandassociationsinvolvingchildren.html

Family and Child Connect – Support for a range of family and parent challenges

http://familychildconnect.org.au/

Child Safety Services – For Family Support and/or Reporting a Child Safety Concern

www.communities.qld.gov.au/childsafety/child-safety-services

Child Safe Organisations - Practical tools and resources

https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/