This is a minimum policy applicable to all ministry units. Adaptations may be needed according to specific, local ministry circumstances.

Jesus Christ said: "Love your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and love your neighbour as yourself ". These principles guide us into right relationships and provide the basis for a safe and abuse-free Christian community.

Priority Outcome

We seek to build and maintain a safe community of faith.

A community of faith that is safe and free from abuse is:

• a community that fosters right relationships between all members and those with whom it comes into contact, exemplified in the behaviour of Jesus Christ;
• a place where all people can feel that their personhood is respected by all in an environment of safety and security;
• a community sustained by responsible and loving Christian leadership and management practices built on a sound scriptural base; and
• a Christian environment that does not tolerate abuse of persons and handles with calmness, care and sensitivity the needs and rights of those who have been abused.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Rector and Wardens of the parish, and those in authority in all diocesan ministry units, are responsible for ensuring that:

• all reasonable and practicable steps are taken to avoid danger of abuse to members of the community arising from their involvement in any church activity.
• all persons leading ministries, especially those relating to children and young people, are appropriately authorised and suitably qualified and trained.
• on an annual basis, they remind all members of the parish, especially parish staff and lay ministers, of the spirit, intent and procedures of this policy and their responsibilities within it.
• the Child Protection Register return is submitted to the Registrar annually.

Every member of a parish or ministry unit is responsible for working with and supporting the whole community of faith in the implementation of this policy.

Mandatory Reporting (with reference to children and young persons)

In NSW and the ACT a 'child ' is a person under 16 years of age. In NSW, a 'young person ' is someone older than 16 but under 18 years of age.

In NSW all licensed ministers, clergy and lay, are mandatory reporters of sexual and physical abuse of children and young persons.

In the ACT the Bishop requires all licensed ministers, clergy and lay, to act as if they were mandatory reporters of sexual and physical abuse of children and young persons.

Reporting sexual abuse of children or young persons

• Parishes will follow the appropriate procedures regarding the reporting of child sexual and physical abuse.
• In all matters relating to allegations of abuse, information will only be given to those who need it for the protection and well being of the child or young person, and for the pursuit of appropriate action.

Reporting Sexual Harassment and Abuse (with reference to adults)

• Where a person feels that they have been physically or sexually harassed or abused by another member of the church they may take their complaint directly to a Diocesan Contact Officer.
• If a person with a sexual abuse or harassment complaint seeks the guidance of a rector or warden, the rector or warden will assist the complainant to contact a Diocesan Contact Officer who will take such action as is necessary to resolve the situation according to the Diocese's Professional Standards Ordinance 2004 and the Diocesan Pastoral Guidelines on Sexual Harassment or Sexual Misconduct.

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually in the light of risk assessment and in the light of any changes in Diocesan or State/Territory legislation.

The Rector and Wardens, and and those in authority in all diocesan ministry units, are responsible for ensuring that the relevant policies of their own ministry units are updated in the light of these changes.

Resources

Diocesan Resources

• The Diocesan Child Protection CD (available from the Bishop’s Office)
• The Professional Standards Officer (02 6248 0811)
• The Diocesan Website contains all the Diocesan ordinances, policies and documents referred to in this policy.

External Resources

ACT Dept of Education, Youth and Family Services:

• website
• "Keeping Children Safe" program
• Child Protection services

NSW Commission for Children and Young People:

• Working with Children Check

NSW Department of Community Services:

• website

Relevant Diocesan Ordinances, policies, documents

• Professional Standards Ordinance 2004
• Governance Ordinance 2002
• The Diocesan Code of Good Practice
• Diocesan Guidelines
• "Child Protection -a shared responsibility: a summary of child protection requirements in the Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn"

Sample Parish/Ministry Unit Child Protection Register

A copy of this register is available in a Word document form.