Parents - What to do now

As a parent your behaviour has a big impact on your child’s self image and what he or she regards as acceptable and unacceptable conduct.  It’s therefore important that you help your child accept diversity and that you support them if they’re being unfairly treated.

• Be a good role model.
• Be supportive and welcoming of children and the families from multi-cultural backgrounds or who are newly arrived migrants.
• Find out if you can help out with the team (e.g., being a liaison person for children and their families from multi-cultural backgrounds or who are newly arrived migrants).
• Don’t be a by-stander if you see other children and their parents being unfriendly or making inappropriate comments  about other children. Report your concerns to the coach.
• If your child is being harassed or treated unfairly talk to the coach. If the coach is the person you are complaining about talk to someone in authority at your club (e.g., the club President) or contact your sports Member Protection Information Officer. They will take your complaint seriously and explain what action can be taken.
• Consider contacting your anti-discrimination agency. Depending on the nature of the harassment, you may have a complaint of unlawful discrimination that could be dealt with externally by an anti-discrimination agency.