Lifesaving South Africa endeavours to provide a safe and supportive environment for all members through implementing its Safeguarding Programme, Policies and Procedures.

The safety and welfare of all our members must be placed above all other considerations. Lifesaving South Africa acknowledges that our staff and volunteers provide a valuable contribution to the positive experiences of all our members within the movement. Lifesaving South Africa aims to ensure this continues, and to protect the safety and welfare of all its members. Measures have been implemented to prevent and respond to incidents of poor practice, non-accidental harm, harassment and abuse at Club, District, Provincial and National level:

• Providing a safe environment and taking an inclusive approach to all activities.
• Educating and informing those within our organization and wider community about our Safeguarding responsibilities for protection of our member’s safety and well-being
• Prohibiting any form of abuse against children and vulnerable people
• Carefully selecting and screening people whose role requires them to have regular contact with children and young people in our organization
• Ensuring the Codes of Conduct are promoted, enforced and reviewed
• Providing procedures for raising concerns or complaints being committed by anyone within or outside the movement
• Encouraging children and youth within the club to speak up if they do not feel safe or something does not feel right
• Building a culture that challenges inappropriate behaviour

All concerns related to non-accidental harm must be reported. Any child who is abused or anyone who reasonably suspects that a child has been or is being abused by someone within our organisation, must report it immediately to their Designated Safeguarding Officer, police or relevant government agency and, Lifesaving SA.

All allegations of child abuse will be dealt with promptly, seriously, sensitively and confidentially. A person will not be victimised for reporting an allegation of child abuse and the privacy of all persons concerned will be respected.

Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People is everyone’s business.