Australia’s Christian Churches came together last weekend for a ground breaking consultation designed to share knowledge, experience and expertise in addressing matters of sexual abuse and misconduct by Church personnel.
Entitled “Safe as Churches?”, the consultation was an ecumenical gathering of up to 60 representatives, many of whom are involved in the formation and implementation of church policies on sexual abuse and misconduct.
It was convened by the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) and was held at the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture in Canberra.
It included representatives from the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, Lutheran, Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox, Quaker, Churches of Christ, Coptic Orthodox, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and Presbyterian churches.
NCCA general secretary, Rev John Henderson, said many of those who took part were people who worked with victims, some professionally and some as volunteers within their church policies.
“Churches recognise the seriousness of issues of sexual abuse and misconduct,” Rev Henderson said.
“They want to do better and live by the standards Christ himself set for his church. This consultation is a step in developing best practice among the churches.
“They are now ready to come together around the table and tell their stories, resource one another, listen more intently to victims and to develop a positive culture in which abuse and misconduct will not take place.”
Rev Henderson said the consultation encouraged and resourced Australian churches to deal with complaints in the best possible way, working to protect the innocent, and changing any elements of church culture that encouraged abuse or protected abusers.
“It is significant that the churches are coming together to talk about this matter. We need to develop a positive culture that reduces the likelihood of abuse and misconduct taking place. We can help one another develop best practice, and learn from mistakes before, not after, they are repeated,” he said.
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Further Information:
John Henderson
General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Australia
(02) 9299-2215
