Church communities have a responsibility to be places where everyone feels safe. In recent years
Australians have been shocked by revelations of sexual abuse in Churches.
Over the last 10 years Australian Churches have been adopting professional standards for clergy and
other workers, including volunteers. They regularly carry out training of workers, and referees are
followed up. Those who have experienced abuse are being encouraged to tell their stories and be heard.
This is a beginning, and Churches are now being encouraged to use the framework provided by policies,
protocols, and training, to build to an environment where perpetrators find no opportunity to offend. This
requires constant vigilance and care.
Convened by the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA), Safe as Churches? II, held from the
8th – 10th September 2005, brought together 120 church practitioners to discuss issues related to sexual
abuse and misconduct in Churches. It follows on from an earlier groundbreaking consultation in March
2004.
“This issue is critical for the Churches,” said Revd John Henderson, General Secretary of the NCCA. “No
one should have to suffer abuse or harassment. It is tragic that so much abuse has occurred. It is even
more tragic that the needs of so many of those who have been abused have not been met adequately by
Church responses and procedures.”
“This consultation is significant because of its ecumenical nature,” said Mr Henderson. “As far as we
know there is nothing else like it elsewhere in say, Europe or North America, on the matter of sexual
abuse. Those involved cover a wide spectrum of the Australian church scene, coming together to
network and resource each other in this important matter. It’s a new way of working and it’s important
that Christians come together to tackle such a serious issue.”
Expert presenters included Professor Patrick Parkinson, from the University of Sydney, Mr Roderick Best
from the NSW Department of Community Services, and Mr Dale Tolliday, from NSW Health. 16
Workshops were clustered under 4 main themes: Support for congregations; Responding to those who
experience sexual abuse; Holding offenders accountable; and Legal and Procedural matters.
Australian participants came from the Anglican, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Catholic, Churches of Christ,
Coptic Orthodox, Lutheran, Quaker, Salvation Army, Seventh Day Adventist, Presbyterian and Uniting
Churches, and the Presbyterian and Seventh Day Adventist Churches of New Zealand.
For comment contact:
Revd John Henderson, National Council of Churches in Australia, 0419 224 935