Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

The Verbum Dei Missionary Fraternity (VDMF) is deeply committed to upholding the dignity, rights, and safety of every person with whom we come into contact, with particular care for those who are most vulnerable. The well-being of children and adults at risk is our highest priority.

We maintain a zero-tolerance stance toward all forms of abuse and are steadfast in our responsibility to safeguard all who participate in our mission and ministries.

In living out this commitment, we:

  • Ensure that all those associated with our Mission uphold standards of conduct that reflect our safeguarding principles and practices.
  • Maintain and regularly review clear policies and procedures that foster a strong culture of safeguarding.
  • Require every person involved in our mission to adhere to these policies and actively contribute to a culture of care, respect, and protection.
  • Remain vigilant to emerging risks and continually evaluate our safeguarding practices to ensure they are effective and responsive.
  • Require all missionaries and volunteers who support children and adults at risk to complete mandatory screening processes in accordance with government legislation. All records are reviewed and kept up to date.
  • Provide appropriate formation and training to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are clearly understood, enabling us to prevent, identify, and respond effectively to concerns or allegations of abuse.
  • Conduct and document risk assessments, with management strategies clearly communicated to those involved in relevant activities.

Through these measures, we seek to create environments where every person is treated with dignity, protected from harm, and supported in a spirit of Christian care and responsibility.

Safeguarding Complaints

If you or someone you know has been affected by a member of the community, you can contact the Verbum Dei Female Missionaries Safeguarding representative on 02 9341 5848. We will listen to your concerns, treat you with respect, and maintain your confidentiality.

Resources

Here are some helpful resource documents: