Responsibilities

Cadet Rights

Cadets have the right to:

• Be safe
• Be listened to
• Be respected
• Privacy
• Take calculated risks in a protected setting
• An inclusive environment
• Be referred to appropriate professional help if needed
• Be protected from abuse by cadets and others
• Have any complaint of unacceptable behaviour actioned swiftly, sensitively and confidentially

Cadet Responsibilities

Cadets are responsible for:

• Showing respect to other Cadets, Instructors of Cadets (IOC) and Officers of Cadets (OOC)
• Keeping themselves safe
• Accurately reporting unacceptable behaviour or at risk situations for Cadets

Declaration by Cadet

By joining the AAFC I undertake the following:

• I will honour the Sovereign and Australia
• I will serve my Squadron loyally by attending parades as often as possible, involving myself to the fullest extent in Squadron and Wing activities and conducting myself at all times in a manner which will reflect credit on the AAFC
• I will take good care of my uniform and only wear it:
• In the proper approved manner
• When travelling to or from and during approved AAFC activities
• I will abide by the rules and regulations which are applicable to the AAFC

Officers of Cadets (OOC) and Instructors of Cadets (IOC) Rights

OOC and IOC have the right to:

• Ongoing training and information on all aspects of child protection
• Access to support agencies
• Fair and equitable treatment from the Corps
• Be protected from abuse by Cadets
• Be protected from abuse by other Staff and Parents
• Have any complaint of unacceptable behaviour actioned swiftly, sensitively and confidentially

OOC and IOC Responsibilities

OOC and IOC are responsible for:

• Working as a team to ensure the safety of Cadets in their care
• Using appropriate youth behaviour management
• Believing and responding to Cadet members statements concerning alleged abuse
• Ensuring the rights and responsibilities of Cadets are enforced
• Reporting suspicions of child abuse to the Air Force Liaison Officer (AFLO) or their delegates
• Trying to prevent abuse of Cadets physically, emotionally or sexually
• Only disclosing sensitive information to appropriate authorities and/or designated internal personnel, on a ‘need to know’ basis

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) Rights

The AAFC has the right to:

• Expect all OOC, IOC and adults that become involved with the AAFC to comply with policies
• Expect all Adult Staff and Cadets to keep within the bounds of general community standards of reasonable behaviour
• Take appropriate action if members contravene its policies
• Expect that its members will not harass other members physically, emotionally or sexually
• Take appropriate action in the event of malicious accusations
• Acquire Police checks with regards to convictions in relevant areas

The AAFC Responsibilities

The AAFC is responsible for:

• Providing maximum safety to its members
• Widely promoting this policy to members and parents
• Continuing to develop policy and training to reduce and eliminate the likelihood of harassment occurring
• Encourage open discussion of child protection issues
• Providing support to members who report suspicions of child abuse
• Providing appropriate referrals for members who report suspicions of child abuse
• Treating information of suspected child abuse with confidentiality and disclosing information only to those who need to know
• Taking appropriate action if any member of the ADFC or ADF involved in AAFC activities, contravenes who needs to know
• Making every effort to identify potential abusers via Police checks and interviews
• Assisting Cadets, OOC and IOC to resolve any complaint of unacceptable behaviour and supporting them during the process