When she speaks, they listen - Jenni Woodhouse along with Lisa Watts handing out essential advice to Sydney ministry workers on how to keep children safe from the perpetrators of sexual abuse.
As chaplain of the Archbishop's Professional Standards Unit (PSU), Jenni Woodhouse has already spoken to almost all of Sydney’s Anglican clergy at meetings across the diocese, including the one held at St James', Croydon yesterday.
The event was one of 13 seminars taking place between May and September alerting clergy and ministry workers to the importance of the Faithfulness in Service code.
The national code, outlining appropriate behaviour for those in pastorial ministry, has been adopted by the Sydney and General Synods.
PSU director Philip Gerber is pleased with the overwhelming response of Sydney’s ministry workers to the seminars.
"With three to go, well over 95 per cent of clergy have already attended," Mr Gerber says.
"It shows that the vast majority of Sydney clergy and church workers are thoroughly committed to doing the right thing. When you get attendance levels like this, you can say the commitment is universal."
Mrs Woodhouse believes this wide-ranging local and national support shows the church is serious about dealing with issues of child abuse and sexual misconduct.
"We need to make sure churches are places where children are safe to ensure that they can safely grow up in a Christian community," Mrs Woodhouse says.
According to Mrs Woodhouse churches have struggled to deal effectively with issues of child abuse and child protection.
"Up until 10 years ago the churches often dropped the ball,” she says.
“There was a lack of understanding of the effects of abuse on people, a lack of understanding of the ways a perpetrator operates and a lack of understanding about how to deal with perpetrators."
Mr Gerber says the past decade has shaken the church from its slumber.
"The media reports were our wake up call " incidents like the Wood Royal Commission and the Hollingworth saga," he says.
"The code makes crystal clear what behaviour is required from people in ministry. From a parishioner's point of view, they are entitled to know what they can expect in terms of behaviour from their ministers and church workers."
PSU Contact Person, Lisa Watts deals first-hand with complaints of abuse.
She believes the Faithfulness in Service seminars are essential for equipping clergy with the tools to make their churches safe places.
"Discussions about how clergy can establish safe practices in churches are protecting people for the future," she says.
Philip Gerber says Sydney Diocese is committed to continual revision of the new national code to ensure it is constantly meeting the expectations of the Christian community as well as the broader society.
"The diocese is committed to Faithfulness in Service as a working document. In time there will need to be another code. It might be almost exactly the same in general terms but things can always be improved."
"A code is only of value if you habitually revisit it and make sure it is still appropriate."
