The Standing Committee of General Synod has released a report, the first of its kind in Australia, aimed at helping the Church to strengthen its child protection strategies.
The report, released today after a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Church's General Synod in Sydney, examines 191 alleged cases of child sexual abuse reported between 1990 and 2008 from 17 dioceses around Australia.
The Director of the Sydney Diocese Professional Standards Unit, Philip Gerber, welcomed the report and the work done by the researchers in reviewing cases across Australia.
“Most of the recommended steps have already been implemented but more work will be done in light of the report’s conclusions. It reinforces the need for the prevention strategy we have already put in place " Safe Ministry training combined with constant vigilance.”
Archbishop Jensen has welcomed the report and reiterated the church’s apology to victims of child sexual abuse.
“We abhor any abuse and misconduct by clergy and church workers and I again apologise on behalf of the church to every person who has suffered such abuse,” he says.
“This report will help in our efforts to do all we can to ensure the safety of children.”
The study was prepared by leading child sexual abuse experts, Emeritus Professor Kim Oates AM of the Medical Faculty of the University of Sydney and Professor Patrick Parkinson AM of the University of Sydney Faculty of Law.
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Australia, Archbishop Phillip Aspinall said the report highlighted key issues that will help the Church to protect children.
"One of the findings of the study of past cases is that most victims of abuse were males between the ages of 10 and 15 years. Being aware of this is clearly important to us as we continue to strengthen our child protection measures.
"Another factor emerging through this research is that there tends to be a long time lag, averaging 23 years, between the abuse of young people and the reporting of that abuse. Again, this is something we must take into account as we encourage people to feel they can come forward to deal with something deeply painful from their past, and as we try to support them as they do so."
The report lists eight recommendations to assist the Church with its child protection strategies.
They include:
"¢ A system of selection and accreditation for people involved in youth work
"¢ National register check before appointing Clergy and Youth leaders
"¢ A review of protocols for youth work to ensure adults and young people are not alone together in contexts that could allow sexual activity to occur
"¢ A review of Faithfulness in Service to ensure risks in youth work are adequately addressed
"¢ Checks, independent of clergy, to ensure dioceses are enforcing Faithfulness in Service
"¢ Adequate education of church workers concerning the risks of child sexual abuse in any organisation that works with children and young people, in particular, boys.
"¢ Development of a common form for the recording of information about child sexual abuse.
"¢ Development of a recommended model for best practice for pastoral response to victims of child sexual abuse.
Dr Aspinall said many of the actions recommended in the report have already taken place. "However where there are improvements to be made, the Anglican Church of Australia is determined to improve and refine its child protection measures.
"In 2004 General Synod made a number of recommendations to each Diocese and many of those are similar to the recommendations in this report. Like my Diocese of Brisbane, I would expect that many Dioceses have taken significant steps towards strengthening their child protection strategies since 2004.
"This research provides another opportunity to refocus and reassess. It is an important step in the protection of children in the future while recognising the failures of the past."
Dr Aspinall said it was important to remember that the study dealt with past allegations involving clergy, church workers and volunteers reported since 1990. No individuals were identified in the report or the research.
"While this report is aimed at strengthening our child protection protocols as we look to the future, it also reminds us of the tragic events of the past and of the pain which still exists. We reiterate our apology, our sorrow and our deep regret for abuse which has occurred."
The study did not include Church schools or children's homes as schools and child care institutions have their own strict regimes now in place.
Dr Aspinall said the Church has learned valuable lessons from this study. "Other Churches and organisations may find this information useful and we are happy to share it."
