14 May 2021

The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Ltd (CECV) has welcomed the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) decision to strengthen its code of conduct to prohibit personal relationships between teachers and past students within two years of graduation.

Executive Director Jim Miles says the strengthening of the code will further protect students from the risk of any teacher abusing their position of trust and authority.

‘The CECV welcomes the VIT’s review of the code and the strengthening of child safety provisions that will now exist’, he said.

‘While the professionalism and ethics of the vast majority of teachers are to be respected and commended, the revised code more appropriately reflects the significant role that teachers play in providing for the safety and wellbeing of young people, as well as their unique position of trust and influence.

‘This is a critical change that should serve to stamp out the harmful risk of grooming students during their final years of school that can lead to the exploitation of that relationship immediately following the end of their schooling.’

Mr Miles said the Catholic sector had participated in the consultation process for the new code of conduct.

‘All teachers in Catholic schools must be registered with the VIT and will be subject to the updated code of conduct from July’, he said.

More than 20% of all Victorian students are educated in 499 Catholic schools across the state.

Media contact: Gerard Delaney on 0413 274 176 or gdelaney@macs.vic.edu.au

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