Responding to Abuse
If you are a survivor wanting to report an incidence of abuse, you can do this through the diocese in which the incident occurred.
You may choose to report an incidence of abuse to the Police, instead of or as well as, to the Church.
Here are some helpful links:
Caring for those who have been abused
Documents:
PROVIDING PASTORAL CARE TO THOSE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ABUSE
Clergy and church workers use this document to help them provide effective pastoral support to those affected by sexual abuse.
Providing pastoral support to people affected by sexual abuse
PASTORAL CARE AND ASSISTANCE PRINCIPLES
Dioceses use these principles to develop a scheme which provides pastoral care and assistance to those who have been sexually abused by clergy or church workers
Pastoral Care and Assistance Principles
Handling Complaints
Documents:
NATIONAL REGISTER PROTOCOL 1 – INCLUSION OF INFORMATION
Directors of Professional Standards use this Protocol for the inclusion of information on the National Register.
The General Secretary uses the Protocol when including information on the National Register.
National Register Protocol 1 (Revised at GS17, September 2017) Inclusion of information on National Register Operational guidelines
RESOURCE – REPORTING HISTORICAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Dioceses use this document when establishing their policy for reporting to the police disclosures by an adult of their sexual abuse as a child.
Resource Reporting child sexual abuse (updated Nov 2014)
FORM FOR RECORDING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE INFORMATION
The Standing Committee by Resolution 2009/3/037 noted and resolved: That the Professional Standards Directors’ Network has approved and agreed to use the attached form for recording child sexual abuse information.
Professional Standards Case Summary Form
Responding to persons of concern
PASTORAL SUPERVISION OF ABUSERS
Documents:
POLICY FOR SAFE MINISTRY WITH PERSONS OF CONCERN
Clergy and parishes use this document to help ensure the safety of adults and children where a Person of Concern is currently participating or wishes to participate in the life of a parish.
Policy for Safe Ministry with Persons of Concern June 2017
Dioceses use the checklist when adopting and implementing the Policy for Safe Ministry in a parish where there is a risk of sexual abuse by a Person of Concern.
Persons of Concern Policy – Guidelines for Implementation June 2017
GUIDELINES FOR CONSIDERING THE ISSUE OF A LICENCE TO CLERGY AND CHURCH WORKERS WHO HAVE ENGAGED IN SEXUAL ABUSE OR MISCONDUCT
Bishops use this document when considering the possibility of restoration to licensed ministry of clergy and church workers who have engaged in sexual abuse or misconduct. The Guidelines may also be used by candidates and restoration teams.
Document waiting publication
PRINCIPLES FOR THE USE OF NAMES OF PERSONS WHO PERPETRATED, OR FAILED TO TAKE ACTION IN RELATION TO, CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Standing Committee has endorsed these guidelines as a resource for dioceses and other Anglican entities.
Principles for the use of names of persons – sexual abuse
PROTOCOL FOR DETERMINING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DIOCESES FOR DISCIPLINING CHURCH WORKERS FOR MISCONDUCT
At its meeting in November 2016, the Standing Committee recommended that each diocese adopt and implement the protocol for determining the responsibility of dioceses for disciplining Church workers for misconduct.
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.