Does Something Feel a Bit Ick? Here’s What to Do

Surfing should be safe, fun, fair and inclusive for everyone, and together, we can help keep it that way. Whether you’re a club member or official, athlete, coach, participant or parent, if you see, hear or experience poor behaviour, say something.

Today, we’re talking about Integrity complaints. That means complaints or reports relating to the National Integrity Framework (NIF), NIF-supporting policies, such as the Code of Conduct, Social Media Policy, and the Anti-Doping Policy. For other complaints, see the information at the end of this article.

This article provides a high-level overview of the Integrity complaints process and where to find more information.

WHO CAN LODGE A COMPLAINT?

• A Complainant is the person directly affected by the alleged conduct, or the parent/carer of a child, young person, or vulnerable person directly affected by the alleged conduct.

WHAT DETAILS SHOULD I INCLUDE?

• Complaints can’t be generalised information. They need to include specific details such as who, what, where and when.

CAN A COMPLAINT BE ANONYMOUS?

• If a complaint is lodged anonymously, it’s considered a report. Generally, reports won’t progress through a complaints or investigation process; they’re used to help inform education and continuous improvement.

WHAT IF THE CONDUCT DIDN’T HAPPEN TO ME?

• Then, it’s considered a report. See details under ‘Can it be anonymous?’.
• As a Reporter, you may not be entitled to details on the outcome of a report.

FAIR PROCESS

• Complaints need to be a fair process for all parties – Complainant and Respondent. This is why the who, what, where and when details are important. The Respondent has the right to a fair opportunity to respond to allegations of prohibited conduct.

WHAT DOES ‘IN SCOPE’ MEAN?

• Part of the evaluation process is to determine whether the complaint is in scope. This means:
  • The person lodging the complaint is defined as a Complainant (see previous point).
  • The alleged conduct meets the definition of prohibited conduct under the NIF and NIF-supporting policies.
  • The person accused of wrongdoing was bound by Surfing’s policies at the time the alleged conduct occurred.
  • That the alleged conduct occurred during an ‘Activity’ of a ‘Relevant Organisation’ in accordance with Surfing Australia’s policies.

DO ALL COMPLAINTS AND REPORTS GO THROUGH AN INVESTIGATION PROCESS?

• No. For less serious matters, Sport Integrity Australia or the Sport may deem education or a reminder of expected behaviour to be the appropriate action. Where possible, the intention is for the process to be educational, not punitive.

BULLYING IN SPORT

• See this booklet for bullying complaints: Sport Integrity Australia Bullying In Sport.

WHERE DO I LODGE A COMPLAINT (OR REPORT)?

• Please see Surfing Australia’s Lodge a Complaint page.
• SAFEGUARDING,  DISCRIMINATION & ANTI-DOPING COMPLAINTS:
  • Complaints about alleged conduct under the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, discrimination based on protected characteristics, including race, disability, sex, religion or age, or suspicions of doping, can be submitted to Sport Integrity Australia here.

OTHER INTEGRITY COMPLAINTS:

• For all other complaints related to the NIF or NIF-supporting policies (such as Code of Conduct, Social Media Policy and Personal Grievance Policy), contact Surfing Australia with this form to integrity@surfingaustralia.com. 

IN-COMPETITION, STATE SELECTION DISPUTES & OTHER STATE-RELATED MATTERS:

• NATIONAL: admin@surfingaustralia.com.au
• Contact your State Body for state matters.

CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR

• Report to local law enforcement and child protection service.
  

OTHER COMPLAINT RESOURCES:

• Surfing Australia Integrity page
• National Integrity Framework booklet
• NIF: Complaints, Disputes & Discipline Policy
• Sport Integrity Australia webinar series