Member Protection Information Officer (MPIO)

This information is adapted from the website of the Australian Institute of Sport.
Click here to be taken to original information on the AIS website

A member protection officer, formerly known as a harassment contact officer, is the first point of call in a club or sporting organisation for any enquiries, concerns or complaints about harassment and abuse. The officer provides confidential information and moral support to the person with the concern or who is alleging harassment. The officer is integral to the successful implementation of a sport’s Member Protection Policy.

Member protection officers do not investigate or resolve conflicts or try to bring the complainant and the person complained about together. They help the complainant deal with any emotions they may have about what has happened and operate as a sounding board as the complainant decides what they want to do. The officer may accompany the complainant in anything they decide to do, if it seems appropriate and they are happy to do it. In summary, the member protection officer role involves:

• listening
• providing support (but not taking over)
• providing information and options about what a person might do (but not advice)
• supporting the complainant in taking the matter further if that is what the complainant wants and the officer feels able to do it
• keeping up-to-date with information on harassment, discrimination and other forms of inappropriate behaviour
• understanding their sport’s policies and procedures in relation to harassment and discrimination
• being accessible, approachable and able to maintain confidentiality
• operating regionally as an member protection officer by being available to other sports in the region.

The role of the member protection officer could vary slightly to the above depending on how the role is defined in a sport’s policy.

To become an member protection officer, a person is nominated by their sport and completes an Australian Sports Commission approved two-day course where they are assessed as to their competency to undertake the role. Courses are conducted in every state and territory.

The Member Protection Information Officers for Judo in WA are:

Mr Paul Kendrick	Click here for contact details.
Mr Gareth Merriman	MPIO training pending AIS registration pending

To verify that these people are indeed qualified to fulfill this position, you can check the Member Protection Officer Database of the Australian Institute of Sport.

If you have a concern or complaint and are not sure who to contact go to the complaints and contacts flowchart of the Australian Institute of Sport.

All information will be treated as confidential.