Community Reporting Tool

Published on 23 September 2019

The Loddon Shire Council has joined a growing number of councils who are participating in the Community Reporting Tool trial which has been developed by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (the Commission).

The Commission supports Victorians in understanding and standing up for their rights by providing a complaints and dispute resolution process. However after extensive consultation with multicultural and multifaith community leaders and advocates, it was understood that the process of making a complaint or exercising their rights was unsettling or intimidating for many people.

The Community Reporting Tool has been developed to provide a simple form that makes it easier for people to make short, direct and confidential reports about racism, discrimination, hate-speech and religious vilification. The tool allows a community member to log an incident and have the option of taking it further. It does not replace the existing complaints service but is instead an additional, simpler engagement opportunity.

Councils act as a local point of contact for residents in the community and it is hoped that having the Community Reporting Tool on the website will improve access to justice for community members from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. It will also demonstrate that Loddon Shire Council is committed to creating a safe and inclusive neighbourhood for all residents.

The Community Reporting Tool trial will continue until the end of the 2019 when the Commission will provide participating councils with a report on the types of issues raised as well as the actions taken.

The Community Reporting Tool may be accessed at the Loddon Shire Council website http://www.loddon.vic.gov.au/Live/Health-and-wellbeing/Victorian-Equal-Opportunity-Human-Rights-Commission-Reporting-Tool