Belgravia Leisure contributes to ABC discussion on aggression in aquatic and recreation centres

The ABC 7.30 program which aired on 6th May investigating the recent increase in aggression and harassment towards staff at aquatic and recreation centres across Australia, featured insights from Belgravia Leisure team members.

Belgravia Leisure team members provided input on the worrying trend of increased verbal, physical and sexual abuse from patron to patron and patron to team member including lifeguards, swim teachers and reception staff.

Belgravia Leisure manages over 250 aquatic and recreation venues across Australia and New Zealand and employs a thorough reporting system for any type of harassment across their managed venues, including not only aquatic and leisure centres but also tourist parks, hot spas and golf courses.

The ABC 7.30 program reported that so far in 2024/25 there have been more than 650 incidents involving harassment in various contexts, compared to the entire year of 2023/24 which saw a reported 589 incidents. By the time the financial year ends in June 2025, Belgravia Leisure anticipates a 20% increase of reported incidents year on year.   

Based on Belgravia Leisure’s incident framework, harassment consists of verbal, physical, psychological and sexual. Verbal harassment is the most common, consisting of 72% of harassment incidents in 2023/24, and 66% in 2024/25. Physical harassment made up 6% of harassment incidents in 2023/24 and increased to 9% in 2024/25.

Group Work Health and Safety Manager Scott Vanderheyden is dismayed at the increase of reported violence and aggression incidents within aquatic and recreation centres across the country and noted “most of these incidents relate to our team members simply performing their duties in maintaining a safe venue for the community to enjoy, minimising the likelihood of incidents occurring and enforcing the policies and procedures that are in place for the venue.

“Concerningly, whilst we know that these incidents do spike in hot, summer periods, especially during a multiple day heatwave, the data is telling us that the incidents are not isolated to summer months but are a consistent theme across the year.

“We strongly condemn all harassment incidents directed at lifeguards and other aquatic staff, as they do a great job of keeping people safe at our pools. 

“Belgravia Leisure is committed and focussed on providing a safe working environment for all our team members, and no staff member should ever have to come to work and experience being verbally, physically or sexually harassed while doing their job.”

Belgravia Leisure team member, 26-year-old Keegan Smith, a lifeguard and duty manager at Mill Park Leisure Centre featured in the ABC 7.30 program, discussing a recent incident when he was attacked by a patron at work. Smith also discussed why he started lifeguarding and his overall experience of the job.   

RJ Houston, General Manager – Capability and Industry at Royal Life Saving Society also featured on the program, advising “new Royal Life Saving Australia research shows that pool lifeguards and other aquatic staff responded to a 12.5% increase in major incidents involving emergency services attendance last year.

“Australian pool lifeguards are world renowned for their high levels of skill and knowledge in accident prevention and rescue – they deserve our respect and kindness so they can do their jobs – keeping people safe in and around the water.”

Belgravia Leisure will continue working closely with industry partners to develop strategies ensuring that all aquatic and recreation centres remain safe, welcoming spaces for both staff and patrons.

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Image. Credit: Belgravia Leisure