The review into Queensland’s 57 surf clubs, following allegations of a culture of sexual harassment and bullying within the iconic volunteer organisation, also found widespread dissatisfaction with complaints handling.

It found there was no evidence of overt discrimination or sexual abuse, systemic or otherwise. “However, some inappropriate behaviour was reported,” it said.

The report into the organisation came after a series of shocking allegations over the past 12 months, including a lifesaver accused of raping of a 21-year-old woman at a Gold Coast club house in September 2020.

Another reported incident included an alleged sex tape involving a 15-year-old girl and another minor from a surf club last year.

Among the litany of complaints was also reports from members of a “boys club” at surf clubs and a lifesaver being drunk on duty.

Since the SLSQ’s Safe and Respectful Environments independent review was commissioned in June, further claims including the alleged sexual abuse of two nippers under the age of 12, while they were under the care of club members, have also been levelled at another Gold Coast surf club.

The Currumbin Beach Vikings SLSC has acknowledged that the allegations had been made against the club and former members, which are currently the subject of formal court proceedings. The club said the historical allegations refer to a period over 30 years ago and do not involve any current club members.

Surf Life Saving Queensland CEO Dave Whimpey said today that the organisation would implement all seven key recommendations from the Safe and Respectful Environments Independent Review.

“We initiated this independent review earlier in the year as we wanted to provide our members with an opportunity to feel seen and heard,” Whimpey said.

“Our intention behind commissioning this independent review was also to enact positive change in our organisation.

“We thank the 1,000 current and former members, who shared their experience at SLSQ.

“This knowledge will help us learn from our past as we strive towards an equitable, safe future for our 34,000 volunteers.”

Whimpey said the review, by Suiko Consulting, was commissioned to observe how bullying, harassment, discrimination and child safety were regulated, prevented and if there was a complaint, how it was handled.

It drew on responses from athletes to rank and file members covering members from elite surf sport athletes through to volunteer lifesavers who patrol beaches during summer and those involved in the state’s nipper programs.

The review found the organisation had built a culture that created a sense of belonging, community and pride in the surf lifesaving family, however there was also a perception clubs had “a male-dominated culture”.

The organisation received the report in October and released its response today.

In SLSQ’s response to the review, the organisation said it recognised there were “some incidences of unacceptable behaviour in our past” but that SLSQ had committed to action that would deliver transformative change.

“SLSQ is acutely aware of the current climate and community expectations around the issues of sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying, heightened through pervasive use of social media,” the organisation’s response to the review said.

“We are accelerating measures to protect, prevent and reflect modern expectations in this regard. We need to continue to deal with inappropriate behaviour by taking all reasonable steps to ensure everyone’s safety.”.

Among the seven recommendations were a zero-tolerance stance for bullying, harassment and abuse; improving child safety; and developing inclusive programs and initiatives targeting youth, multicultural communities, and women and girls.