Child Safety Policy

Our Approach

Milk Crate Theatre has zero tolerance for child abuse. We act in the best interests of children in every decision we make, and we build child safety into our leadership, culture and everyday practice.

This applies to everyone who works or volunteers with us, and to every organisation we partner with to deliver programs.

  • Children are listened to, and their voices shape our programs.
  • All staff, volunteers and partners are trained and screened.
  • Concerns are raised easily, and acted on immediately.
  • We meet our legal obligations under NSW & Australian law.

You Have the Right to Feel Safe

At Milk Crate Theatre, your safety matters.

We want you to:

  • Feel safe
  • Feel respected
  • Feel heard
  • Feel like you belong

 

Nothing is more important than your wellbeing.

Your Voice Matters

You have the right to:

  • Share your ideas
  • Say how you feel
  • Ask questions
  • Speak up if something worries you

 

What Is NOT OK

It is NOT OK for anyone to:

  • Hurt you (physically or emotionally)
  • Bully, threaten or scare you
  • Touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable
  • Say or show you inappropriate things
  • Message you privately
  • Ask you to keep secrets
  • Make you feel unsafe in any way

 

If You Feel Unsafe or Worried

You can tell someone you trust:

  • A Milk Crate Theatre staff member
  • A parent, carer or family member
  • A teacher
  • A support worker
  • Youth worker

 

Or you can contact one of our Child Safety Officers (below).

 

What You Can Expect From Us

When you’re part of Milk Crate Theatre, we will:

  • Listen to you and take you seriously
  • Treat you with respect and kindness
  • Make sure you feel included and welcome
  • Support you to be yourself
  • Keep you safe in workshops, events and online
  • Take action if something isn’t right

Who this is for

Anyone can report a concern to us — a child or young person, a parent or carer, a staff member, a volunteer, or a partner organisation. You don’t need to be certain something is wrong. If it doesn’t feel right, we want to know.

What to report

  • Abuse or suspected abuse of a child or young person.
  • Something a child has told you that worries you.
  • Behaviour that breaches our Child Safe Code of Conduct.
  • Anything that makes you or someone else feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or worried.

How to report

Talk to someone you trust

A Milk Crate Theatre staff member, a parent or carer, or a support worker — they can help you take the next step, or report on your behalf.

Contact a Child Safety Officer directly

For anything significant or urgent, reach out by phone or email — they will respond promptly and guide you through what happens next

Please contact our main Child Safety Officer immediately:

Jodie (CEO)

📧 Click to email me

📞 0481 348 218

What happens after you report

  1. We listen and respond promptly. Every report is taken seriously, however it reaches us.
  2. We act to keep people safe. We take immediate steps to identify and address any risk.
  3. We look into it properly. An investigation is carried out while protecting everyone’s privacy, and mandatory reporting is actioned where required.
  4. We keep you informed and supported. You won’t be left in the dark, and support is available throughout the process.
  5. We learn from it. We review what happened and update our practices to reduce future risk.

 

You will never be penalised for reporting a concern in good faith and choosing not to act on something you’ve seen or been told is treated seriously too.