Australian Federation of Brasilian Jiu Jitsu

SAFE SPORT

Member Protection

Every person involved in AFBJJ is entitled to participate free from discrimination, harassment, bullying and abuse. Every child in our sport is entitled to a safe environment.

This page summarises the AFBJJ Member Protection Policy and Procedure (AFBJJ-POL-MPP-01, Version 1.0, effective 1 July 2026). The full policy — including the complaint form, code of conduct card and investigation records — is in the PDF.

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Purpose and scope

Purpose

This policy sets out AFBJJ's commitment to a safe, fair and inclusive environment for everyone involved in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under its affiliation, the standards of behaviour expected, its approach to child safety, and how a concern or complaint is raised, assessed and resolved.

This policy is informed by the Framework's templates, the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and Play by the Rules guidance.

Who it applies to

Board members, staff and contractors; affiliated clubs, academies and their committees; coaches, instructors and assistant instructors; referees, mat officials, event organisers and volunteers; athletes of every age and belt rank; and parents and guardians of junior athletes.

It applies at training, gradings, seminars, camps, trials and competitions, and to related conduct outside those settings — including online and social media — where it affects the safety, dignity or wellbeing of a person connected with AFBJJ.

Standards of behaviour

  • Treat others with courtesy, respect and fairness regardless of belt rank, role or seniority
  • Act as a positive role model, particularly around junior athletes
  • Respect the physical and emotional boundaries of training partners, recognising the close-contact nature of BJJ
  • Use touch only as needed for legitimate technique instruction or spotting, and explain what is being done and why
  • Follow the reasonable direction of coaches, referees and officials
  • Never use a position of authority or seniority in belt rank to pursue an inappropriate personal or romantic relationship
  • Report genuine concerns about the behaviour of others promptly, using this policy

Conduct that is not tolerated

  • Discrimination

    Treating a person unfavourably because of a protected attribute — including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, disability, age or religion — directly or indirectly, in selection, grading, coaching opportunities, event access or club membership.

  • Harassment & sexual harassment

    Unwelcome behaviour a reasonable person would anticipate would offend, humiliate, intimidate or distress. Includes touching beyond what legitimate instruction requires, comments about a person's body, and unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature. A single serious incident can amount to sexual harassment.

  • Bullying & vilification

    Repeated belittling or humiliating comments, exclusion without good reason, and hazing or initiation-style treatment of newer or junior members. Vilification of a person or group because of a protected attribute is not tolerated, including online.

  • Abuse

    Physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse, and neglect by a person with a duty of care. Where an allegation may involve a criminal offence or a child's safety, the AFBJJ process operates alongside — never in place of — a report to police or child protection.

  • Victimisation & reprisals

    Anyone who raises a concern in good faith, supports another to do so, or participates as a witness must not suffer detriment. Victimisation is a serious breach in its own right.

Child safeguarding

Zero tolerance for child abuse

Every child who trains, grades or competes under AFBJJ affiliation is entitled to a safe environment, and every adult involved shares responsibility for that safety — whether or not they hold a designated child safety role. AFBJJ applies the ten National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

Screening & supervision

  • Every coach and official in child-related work holds a current Working With Children Check or equivalent screening for their state or territory.
  • Clubs seek at least one reference before appointing a person to a coaching or supervisory role with regular junior contact.
  • No staff member, coach, official or volunteer is to be alone with a child under 18 without another adult present.
  • Change rooms, travel to and from events, and one-on-one private lessons follow a documented supervision arrangement agreed with a parent or guardian in advance.
  • Physical contact with a junior athlete is limited to what is necessary for safe technique instruction and is explained to the athlete.

If a child discloses abuse, or you suspect it

  1. Stay calm, listen without interrupting, and reassure the child they were right to tell you. Do not promise complete confidentiality.
  2. Do not question the child in detail and do not confront the person the concern is about — this can affect a later police or statutory investigation.
  3. If the child is in immediate danger, or a crime may have occurred, call 000 immediately.
  4. Where there is no immediate danger, contact your state or territory child protection authority or police, and notify the AFBJJ MPIO and Board as soon as practicable.
  5. Write down objectively what was seen, said or disclosed — in the child's own words where possible — as soon as you can.
  6. Keep the information confidential, sharing only with those who need to know to keep the child safe or as required by law.

Behaviour that should raise concern

No single sign proves abuse is occurring, but a pattern is worth acting on. Concerning behaviour by an adult can include seeking unsupervised or unofficial contact with a particular child outside training, favouritism or excessive gift-giving toward one child, contacting a child through personal social media or messaging outside official club channels, or persistently disregarding supervision arrangements. Anyone — adult or child — can raise a concern. If in doubt, raise it.

Raising a complaint

How complaints are handled

  • Safety comes first — any risk to a child or a person's immediate safety is addressed first, regardless of the complaint outcome.
  • Natural justice applies — a respondent is told the substance of the allegation and given a genuine opportunity to respond.
  • Complaints are handled confidentially, on a need-to-know basis, and without unreasonable delay.
  • No one is disadvantaged for raising a genuine concern, whether or not it is substantiated.
  • The response is proportionate to the seriousness of the concern.
  1. 01

    Talk to the MPIO

    The Member Protection Information Officer is a confidential first point of contact. They explain your options — informal resolution, a formal complaint, or referral to an external body. The MPIO does not investigate or decide complaints. Where the MPIO is not readily available, the head coach or club committee is the initial contact.

  2. 02

    Informal resolution

    For low-level concerns where both parties feel safe to participate, the MPIO may help reach an informal resolution such as a facilitated conversation or apology. Informal resolution is never used for a child safety allegation or a potential criminal offence.

  3. 03

    Formal complaint

    Made in writing using the complaint form in the policy (Appendix B): your name and contact details (or anonymous), the respondent, what happened, when and where, any witnesses, and the outcome you are seeking. Other accessible formats are accepted.

  4. 04

    Assessment

    The MPIO or Board assesses immediate safety risk, whether the matter must be reported to police or a statutory authority, and the appropriate pathway. You are told which pathway was chosen and why, within 10 business days where reasonably possible.

  5. 05

    Investigation

    An investigator or panel with no conflict of interest is appointed. The respondent receives written notice of the allegation and a genuine opportunity to respond. Findings are made on the balance of probabilities, generally within 6 to 8 weeks.

  6. 06

    Outcome & appeal

    Outcomes range from no further action to a formal warning, mandatory education, conditions on participation, suspension, expulsion, or referral to police. Either party may appeal in writing within 14 days on the grounds of unfair process or significant new information.

Interim measures

The Board or its delegate may put an interim measure in place at any point — such as standing a coach down from contact with a particular person or age group — where it reasonably considers this necessary to protect someone's safety.

An interim measure is a precaution based on risk assessment, not a finding that the allegation is true. It is proportionate, reviewed regularly, and lifted as soon as it is no longer necessary.

Confidentiality & records

Information is shared only with those who need it to progress the matter or keep someone safe, or as required by law, and stored securely consistent with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

Records are retained for a minimum of seven years. Records relating to a child safety concern are retained for as long as reasonably practicable.

Support and contacts

  • Emergency — Police, Fire, Ambulance000
  • Lifeline13 11 14
  • 1800RESPECT (sexual assault, family violence)1800 737 732
  • Kids Helpline1800 55 1800

A complainant, respondent or witness may bring a support person to any meeting under this process. External avenues are also available, including the Australian Human Rights Commission or a state or territory anti-discrimination agency, the Fair Work Commission for an eligible workplace bullying matter, or police for a criminal matter.

Report a concern

In an emergency, or where a child is in immediate danger, call 000. Otherwise contact the AFBJJ Member Protection Information Officer through the AFBJJ office or your club committee. MPIO contact details are held by the AFBJJ Board and communicated to affiliated clubs.

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