The Director of Sydney Diocese’s Professional Standards Unit (PSU) is confident that Australian Churches are better equipped to tackle the problem of sex offenders or alleged offenders shifting denominations following the first nationwide consultation of policy-makers to address issues of sexual abuse and misconduct.
The meeting included 60 representatives from the Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, Lutheran, Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox, Quaker, Churches of Christ, Coptic Orthodox, Baptist, Seventh Day Adventist and Presbyterian churches.
“We were able to give input to other denominations who are not as far down the track,” PSU’s Philip Gerber said.
The meeting was held in Canberra and convened by the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA). It was supported financially by the Diocese of Sydney.
NCCA General Secretary, the 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,” he said. “They want to do better and live by the standards Christ 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, listen more intently to victims and to develop a positive culture in which abuse and misconduct will not take place.”
Mr Henderson said the consultation sought to change any elements of church culture that encouraged abuse or protected abusers among church personnel.
“It is significant that the churches are coming together to talk about this matter,” he said. “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.”
Mr Gerber said the meeting was a good opportunity to cooperate practically, compare notes and learn from other denominations that are just beginning to set up policies that deal with sex abuse issues.
“What will come out of it will be better networking, particularly at a State level,” he said. “There has been a real issue of abusers and alleged abusers shifting denominations.  This consultation has enabled this to get aired and addressed openly. It was a good opportunity to confirm the things we’ve been developing since 1996 are on the right track.”
He added that some denominations feel they are in a situation where they are “just doing their own thing and have no one to turn to”.