These guidelines have been adopted by the Safeguarding Committee in accordance with information in the Safeguarding Children and Young People Framework and the Safeguarding Children and Young People Code of Conduct of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne
Everyone participating in a Parish activity has a right to personal privacy, and the right to give or withhold consent to being photographed or otherwise recorded.
St. Kevin’s Parish actively engages with parishioners on various online and social media platforms, thereby extending the sense of community, togetherness and growing together in the Catholic faith beyond the physical boundaries of our parish. We proudly showcase our parish activities on our social media channels – as stories, pictures and observations resonate much more strongly with people!
When it comes to taking photographs and video of children and young people participating in parish activities, St. Kevin’s Parish has established processes to gather written consent, wherever and whenever practically possible, from parents and carers through a photographic consent form authorising this activity and setting out how the images will be used.
When taking photographs or videos, we will…
- at all times, respect the parent or carer’s decision for the child or young person to not participate
- give children and young people an opportunity to consent to participating in the photography or video where appropriate
- take photographs and videos in the presence of others (i.e. with supervision, not alone or in secret)
- ensure that children and young people are appropriately dressed and posed
- ensure that the content of the photograph or video is not offensive (e.g. sexual, racist, violent, threatening)
- not use an image or recording if there is a potential for the child or young person to be stigmatised through public association
- publish with limited identifying information to prevent the child from being located
- store securely digitally to ensure that images and video are not distributed without approval
- if clergy, employees and/or volunteers are using ‘personal equipment’ (e.g. mobile phone) – transfer the images and video to the secure parish storage device or computer drive as soon as practicable, and delete them from personal equipment
- in the event where a photograph or video of a child or young person is included in content that has been shared on Parish social media and a parent or carer raises an objection – either take it down or obscure the identity of the child or young person such that they are not identifiable, as soon as practicable
PARENT AND CARER GUIDELINES
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO IN PUBLIC PLACES
For large group photos taken during parish events, the parish will endeavour to implement measures, such as prior to the event/meeting beginning, to advise those gathered that photos will be taken by designated leaders for the purposes of the parish publication/newsletter/website/social media.
When families attend events, they will often want to take photographs or video to capture their child’s participation. Where this activity also includes other children and young people, it is important to consider the privacy of other children and young people and respect the wishes of parents (or carers) who do not wish their children to be photographed or videoed.
If parents or carers do not wish their child to be photographed or videoed by a designated parish photographer/volunteer, they can approach a parish representative prior to the event to seek assistance to arrange for their child not to be photographed or included in videos.
It is not illegal to take photographs or video in a public place; nor is consent required. However, if a parent or carer does not wish their child to be photographed, they should politely request that no photos or video be taken of the child or young person.
If you have reason to believe that the person is taking inappropriate images or video, it is advisable to contact Victoria Police. A parent or carer cannot legally confiscate the person’s camera or device.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO IN PARISH PROGRAMS
Upon enrolment into any parish program or activity, a photographic permission form will be required for all children and young people. Where possible, photos will be taken by designated leaders for the purposes of the parish publication/newsletter/website/social media.
In addition to the completion of a photographic permission form as part of enrolment into any parish program or activity, if parents or carers do not wish their child to be photographed or videoed as part of the program or activity, they can always approach a parish representative to seek assistance to arrange for their child not to be photographed or videoed.
When families attend parish programs, if they want to take photographs or video to capture their child’s participation, it is important to consider the privacy of other children and young people and respect the wishes of parents (or carers) who do not wish their children to be photographed or videoed. Parents and carers are encouraged to seek guidance from the program leaders at these times.
St Kevin's Catholic Parish, Hampton Park 