Recently a member ask us about ‘member protection’ – she was referring to the terms used in Sport & Recreation: http://www.ausport.gov.au/supporting/integrity_in_sport/member_and_child_protection
To use the Sport & Recreation phrasing, bushwalking should also be “safe, fair and inclusive for everyone involved…..[and clubs should seek to] to prevent and address discrimination and harassment and to protect children from abuse.”
These attitudes and behaviours are deeply ingrained in our clubs. The fact that bushwalking clubs welcome all members of society, and provide social interaction and recreation for all people, is one of the reasons why I work for Bushwalking NSW!
Clubs have reached out to Bushwalking NSW for assistance on these matters and we have helped these clubs out on these sensitive matters. If you have any concerns or suggestions in this area, feel free to contact us for assistance. You can reach me using my personal email or use our form on the contact us page.
To describe some of the ways that Bushwalking NSW is safe, fair and inclusive:
- Our website contains information about walking for people with disabilities: http://www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/getting-started-on-your-first-walk/
- Our November 2016 General Meeting featured the website: http://www.naturallyaccessible.org/
- See our many pages on safety: http://www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/safety/
- See our Risk Management guidelines particularly regarding child protection issues
Our clubs also practice inclusivity in may ways, the most common is that clubs promote the culture of always pacing the walk to the slowest walker. Members have even benighted themselves for the safety of their fellow walkers and the group.