Safe Ministry
Safe Ministry is important to the Anglican Church of Australia.
Our aim is to ensure that ministry in the context of personal and pastoral relationships within the Church uphold certain standards of behaviour.
These resources for the Anglican Church of Australia have been developed as part of the work of the Safe Ministry Commission. For more information on the Commission, its mandate and membership, please click here.
Dioceses use these resources, and this website identifies when to use these resources.
They are tools for effective ministry. Some are most useful for bishops while others are for clergy and church workers. Some are very specific in their use and others have a broad application across the Church.
These resources are used in conjunction with the documents for professional standards of each diocese. The processes for handling complaints and working with survivors and responders may vary between dioceses. The professional standards processes for your diocese are available from the diocesan office. Here is a helpful link to the Map of Australian dioceses
We can picture the aim, category, purpose and types of professional standards resources like this:
Safer ministry is important to the Anglican Church.
There is a range of people involved in promoting safer ministry in the church.
Prevention
These resources are used in promoting safer ministry.
Their aim is preventing abuse in churches and church bodies.
They do this by:
- Identifying standards of behaviour
- Training
- Screening and selecting clergy and church workers
Response
These resources are used when responding to alleged or confirmed incidents of abuse in churches and church bodies.
They include:
- Caring for those who have been abused
- Handling complaints
- Responding to persons of concern
Research and Reports
Research commissioned by the Standing Committee of General Synod assessed cases of reported child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia in the period 1990-2008.
The research assisted the Commission to verify the efficacy of the Church’s child protection protocols when assessed against the nature and circumstance of reported child sexual abuse.
Recommendations for change to specific child protection protocols and practical adjustments to processes were made as a result of the findings of the Study.
Study of Reported Child Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church May 2009 Full Report
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
The Anglican Church of Australia has supported the work of the Royal Commission since its establishment in 2013.
The Royal Commission Working Group was established in November 2013 by resolution of the General Synod Standing Committee.
National Register
The National Register is an essential part of the Church’s response to the prevention of child abuse and adult sexual misconduct. The Canon provides for a national, transparent and accountable process to ensure appropriate checks are made before all ordinations, licences or appointments are made.
National Redress Scheme
In November 2016 the Turnbull Government announced the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child abuse and invited states, territories and other non-government institutions to join in the Commonwealth scheme.
The Anglican Church of Australia has reached in-principle agreement to join the National Redress Scheme established by the Commonwealth Government.
National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
The Anglican Church of Australia is committed to operating within the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations developed by the Human Rights Commission and endorsed by members of the Council of Australian Governments, including the Prime Minister and state and territory First Ministers. The principles aim to provide a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures that foster child safety and wellbeing.
Community Feedback
The Anglican Church of Australia is open to receiving and considering feedback from families and the community on its approach to child safety and wellbeing.
If you would like to submit feedback or contact us for more information on our safe ministry policies please e-mail safeministry@anglican.org.au.