The safety of students, of all ages, should be of utmost importance in all dance studios. Unfortunately, recently some allegations have come to light against some choreographers/teachers in New South Wales and Victoria, and these allegations have rocked the industry.
Many are asking whether the dance studio industry needs regulation, or what regulation would entail or achieve. There’s much upset, confusion and many questions, but hopefully this has prompted all studio owners to reassess their child safe policies, codes of conduct and legal obligations as we get ready to start a new school year.
Unfortunately, each state in Australia has different requirements, and even Working With Children Checks are only state based, so compliance and best practice can seem complex. But luckily, Ausdance, Keep Kids Safe in Dance and ChildSafe have a lot of resources and training modules, that don’t have to be time consuming and can even be done at home, on your laptop.
There are 10 National Principles for a child-safe organisation, and then each state has its own requirements. For example, in Victoria, there are also 11 mandatory Child Safe Standards that must be adhered to by all dance studios and dance educators. Just recently, the Queensland government put in place new laws around standards and reporting, outlining 10 mandatory Child Safe Standards. Do you know the obligations in your state? What have you put in place to make sure you, your staff and volunteers are trained and equipped to uphold these standards?
Dance Arts Alliance has been working diligently for many years in the fight for Australian-wide regulation of the dance studio space, in the pursuit of better protections for all dance students, dance teachers and studio businesses. Similar industries like DanceSport, Calisthenics and Gymnastics all have a governing body that ensures all clubs adhere to a set of best practice standards and training.
Sadly, as in all industries, there could always be someone who abuses their position of power, and some of the alleged behaviour is just blatantly illegal, so regulation may not have had much impact. However, it’s worth looking into what regulation for dance training organisations could and should entail. No one wants regulation that is arduous, expensive and difficult for studio businesses to adhere to, as it’s hard enough to run a small business in the current economy and environment. But we encourage you to watch the video below to see what Dance Arts Alliance is working on in this space and why. Consider becoming a member to Dance Arts Alliance to gain access to advocacy, support and resources designed to help you navigate the challenges of running a dance studio.
And we can’t discuss child safety without considering the culture of our industry and the over sexualisation of commercial dance, whether this happens at your studio or not. When you look at music videos of the past versus now, you can see a distinct change in the movement intention and sexualisation. When teaching or choreographing for underage students, is it necessary and appropriate to use explicit or suggestive music, costuming or movement? Are songs that glorify drug or alcohol abuse ever a good choice? This recent article in Dance Informa UK discusses the issue of sexualisation in the dance competition setting and the risks it poses to young children.
The words “compliance” and “regulation” can be daunting, but here are some easy actionable steps you can take to protect students and staff as we open our studio doors ready for an amazing 2025.
#1. Ausdance is always available and ready to help with any questions. Give them a call or email. They have many resources that are free or discounted for members and available to non-members too, including a child safe induction. Consider becoming an Ausdance member, if there’s Ausdance in your state. Ausdance QLD is actually just about to launch a new education program called ‘Safedance’ for Kids. Keep an eye out for it.
#2. Speak to your Syllabus organisation who can offer support and help. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) now has a Safeguarding Coordinator, who is there to ensure all studios teaching RAD are supported in pursuit of safety and best practice.
#3. Ensure you and all your studio staff have undergone a child safe training program. It’s actually very easy and affordable to do so. For example, ChildSafe.org.au provides online programs that only take just over an hour, provide a certificate of completion and are under $40, although these are not dance specific. Check out what Ausdance offers as well as Keep Kids Safe in Dance for more dance specific training. There are also options for group training.
#4. Take a good look at your Code of Conduct for all teachers and staff. Devising strict codes with your staff and guest teachers around communication and relationships with students are an important start. Include communication across social media, as it is now easier than ever for students and teachers to contact one another outside of the studio. Consider your policies around private lessons, or closed doors to studio spaces. Are the toilets within your building or is there public access to them? What are the specific risks in your studio setting?
#5. Reassess choreography, music choices, class wear and costuming. Is it age appropriate? Is it too sexual or too revealing? Are instructors setting a good example?
#6. Have a good discussion with all teachers around expectations and behaviour to start the new year.
#7. Outline a policy around how concerns and reports are handled and discuss this with all staff, in compliance with government regulations.
#8. For those teaching tertiary/full time dance students or training teachers, consider having robust discussions and providing education around professional conduct and appropriate behaviour and relationships to set them in good stead for when they start teaching in studios.
As an industry, we can all lift our standards and work together to make sure dance is always a safe, empowering and beautiful space.
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