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All children have rights, no matter who you are. This includes the right to be safe and feel safe and to have your say in decisions impacting you.
You have the right to feel safe and be safe
When you are away from home, like at school, playing sport, on camp, living with other carers or at the doctor, the adults looking after you have to follow the rules and keep you safe.
Being safe means you are free from abuse, harassment, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour. Feeling safe means you are comfortable in the places where you spend time and trust the adults around you.
You have a right to:
- be safe and feel safe wherever you are
- expect that the adults around you are keeping you safe
- be given information about how to raise a safety concern
- be listened to and for action to be taken if you have a safety concern.
The Charter of rights for children and young people in out-of-home care
The Charter of rights for children and young people in out-of-home care has been especially prepared for children in Victoria who can't live with their parents and are in out-of-home-care.
It lists what you can expect from all those people who look after you and work with you when you are in care.
All these people need to make sure the things they do for you and the things they allow you to do keep you safe and well.
The Convention on the Rights of the Child
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) is an important agreement by countries who have promised to protect children's rights.
The CROC explains who children are, all their rights, and the responsibilities of governments. UNICEF has more information and a child-friendly version of the CROC.