The phrase ‘respondent’ is a policy word for the person, people or organisation alleged to have engaged in poor behaviour – regardless of whether it was intentional.
If this has happened to you, know that you have the right to share your side of the story. You may not have intended to cause harm or offence and the goal of people complaining is often to feel safe and supported – not to attack your character.
Consider how you will:
- Respond to the allegations
- Understand your rights
- Learn from the experience
Your club should have a Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, and a Member Protection Policy, that detail the standards of behaviour all members are expected to abide by. If your club has adopted the National Integrity Framework, they will also use the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy (CDDP). This policy sets out the process for managing complaints. Your club should also have a constitution that details the rights and responsibilities of members. Other rules that will apply include club specific codes of conduct and the rules and by-laws of the competition you play, volunteer, coach or officiate in.
It’s likely you have ticked a box agreeing to abide by these rules and policies.
Responding
When responding to allegations made against you:
- Listen to the allegations and try not to get defensive
- It’s OK to take some time to reflect on the allegations before responding
- Respect that the person making the complaint is not trying to attack you – their most likely goal is to feel safe and supported
- Cooperate fully with investigations or tribunals
- Consider the power of offering a quick, genuine apology to the affected person
- Be open to learning from the incident
- Don’t engage in behaviour that punishes the person for making a complaint – this is called ‘victimisation’ and is likely a breach of your club’s policy
- Seek help and support through counselling services
If an allegation is ‘vexatious’ meaning it is knowingly untrue or false, try to still follow the advice above, while clearly stating your perspective. It is the duty of people in positions of authority (complaint handlers) to identify when an allegation is vexatious.
Your rights
Under the processes to deal with complaints in community sport, you have rights. These include:
- To understand the full nature of the allegations made against you and to respond to them
- To be treated with dignity and respect
- To have the rules you are expected to abide by clearly communicated to you, in ways that you can reasonably understand
- For confidentiality to be maintained by the organisations involved
- To appeal findings or sanctions made against you
- For any sanctions to be fair and appropriate.
Learning from the experience
Being complained about can be a learning experience. While it’s not a comfortable experience to be on this side of the process, it can be an opportunity to reflect on how you act around others. Consider:
- Reflecting honestly on ways you could be a better coach, volunteer, player, official or more supportive parent
- Being a positive role model for others
- Better understanding why certain words cause such harm to people.
Consider also that everyone has the right to participate in sport free from any forms of verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Each person will perceive an action or behaviour differently. In light of historical cases of child sexual abuse in sporting clubs, people are now encouraged to call out inappropriate behaviours and create a culture free from harm. Behaviours more accepted in the past – like aggressive coaching of children and young people – are now discouraged and will likely breach policies or codes of conduct.
It is a privilege to hold a position of authority in a sport club, and this privilege doesn’t override the rights of people to feel safe and respected.
Wellbeing support
The following organisations can provide support if you need:
- Lifeline - 13 11 14
- 1800 Respect - 1800 737 732
- MensLine Australia - 1300 789 978
- Kids Helpline - 1800 551 800
- Beyond Blue - 1300 224 63
- 13YARN – 13 9276
- Qlife - 1800 184 527
The information on this page is general in nature and should not be read as legal advice.