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Reportable Conduct Scheme has new reporting requirement for heads of religious bodies

On 1 July 2017 Victoria introduced a Reportable Conduct Scheme to oversee organisational responses to allegations of child abuse or misconduct towards children.

It is now mandatory for organisations that come under the scheme to notify the Commission for Children and Young People of a reportable allegation of child abuse (or other child-related misconduct), made against their workers or volunteers.

We all have a responsibility to keep children safe from abuse. The Child Safe Standards (the standards) apply to businesses and organisations that provide services or facilities for children. The standards require those organisations to implement a range of measures that are designed to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect. The standards help organisations build a culture of child safety, where safeguarding children is part of everyday practice.

The standards have applied to religious and faith-based organisations since 1 January 2017.

It might not be the Tigris or the Euphrates, but the Nepean River in Western Sydney is vital to the Australian adherents of one of the world's most ancient religions.

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Source: ABC

As you may be aware, changes to the Working with Children Act 2005 are coming into effect from 1 August 2017.

More information on these changes can be found here:

http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/home/about+the+check/purpose/changes+to+legislation

Esma Voloder, a criminal profiler from Melbourne who identifies herself as a Muslim has recently won the Miss world Australia pageant and has grabbed the opportunity to clear misconceptions about Islam.

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Source: The Express Tribune

The Coptic Christian Pope, Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria, will be given the keys to the city when he visits Casey on September 8.

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Source: Herald Sun

A small, vocal group of Conservative rabbis is pushing the movement to accept marriages between Jews and non-Jews. The fight is really about the future of the religion.

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Source: The Atlantic

The Community Harmony Program is designed to enable Victorians to build social cohesion and community harmony through preventative initiatives that address the root causes of social disharmony and racial, ethnic and religious intolerance.

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Source: Victorian Multicultural Commission