{"id":741,"date":"2017-04-20T02:10:14","date_gmt":"2017-04-20T02:10:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.penrithpresbyterian.com\/wp\/?page_id=741"},"modified":"2024-02-01T03:04:22","modified_gmt":"2024-02-01T03:04:22","slug":"child-protection-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.penrithpresbyterian.com\/wp\/?page_id=741","title":{"rendered":"Child Protection Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PLEASE NOTE: A NEW and UPDATED POLICY
\nhas been released at the END of 2023!
\nIt contains new iinformation relating to Domestic Violence, Church Camps and Youth Camps, as well as new policy material relating to Young People and Teenagers assisting ministry programs as ‘helpers’.<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n

*** Further information can be obtained from…<\/em> <\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0CHILD PROTECTION LINK<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n
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\nTHE CHURCH’S RESPONSE<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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In 1994, the Wood Royal Commission into the NSW Police Service was given a specific reference to investigate and report on paedophilia and pederasty in New South Wales. The churches came under the spotlight in the Commission\u2019s investigations, and were in the most part found wanting in their failure to protect children from abusers in the church. The Presbyterian Church of New South Wales was commended for the policy already in place, known as Breaking the Silence.<\/p>\n

Breaking the Silence was adopted by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales in 1997, with revisions adopted the following year.\u00a0 This represented a very significant step towards understanding and dealing with the problem of abuse within the Presbyterian church, with many other States subsequently adopting and adapting these editions of Breaking the Silence.<\/p>\n

In 2003, it was decided that the CPU would be established. At this point, it was called the Child Protection Unit.\u00a0 Since then, there have been significant developments in legislation and our understanding of church issues. In 2011, the name Conduct Protocol Unit was introduced, indicating the broadening of the scope of Breaking the Silence to cover abuse towards people of any age within our church communities.<\/p>\n

Further developments in child protection legislation, mandatory and voluntary reporting procedures arose in subsequent years, including the participation of offices such as the Office of the Children\u2019s Guardian in monitoring investigations of allegations, the involvement of government departments responsible for caring for children, and the development of Commissions for Children and Young people in various States and Territories.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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In 2012, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began its five-year inquiry, during which thousands of individuals shared their stories of childhood abuse.<\/p>\n

In 2017, the final report was released, outlining the full extent of this dark issue. 4029 survivors told the Royal Commission in private sessions that they had been sexually abused as children in religious institutions. 2.8% of these instances occurred within Presbyterian or Reformed churches. These findings brought to light the tragic reality of the harm that has occurred within church ministry.<\/p>\n

The Royal Commission\u2019s report brought about a number of recommendations aimed at making organisations safer for children.\u00a0The Presbyterian Church has taken a number of steps to ensure we have taken these on board. In 2019, the General Assembly of Australia adopted the National Safe Ministry Framework (NSMF) to establish a uniform and consistent approach to the protection of children within the Presbyterian Church of Australia. This was adopted by the NSW General Assembly in 2020.<\/p>\n

Breaking the Silence in its present form is intended to address these issues and provide all congregations, Presbyteries, organisations, and committees within the church with a comprehensive tool to meet our legislated obligations and the requirements of the Presbyterian Church of Australia\u2019s Code of Discipline.<\/p>\n

We do this, not just in response to legal and societal expectations, but more importantly, to ensure the safety of our ministry activities for all and to attain justice for those who have been harmed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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OUR POLICY<\/span><\/h1>\n
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    This statement applies to all persons holding a\u00a0position of authority<\/strong>\u00a0within the church<\/strong>, and all congregations, presbyteries, organisations, and committees within\u00a0the church<\/strong>. It is our commitment to dealing with\u00a0abuse<\/strong>\u00a0within\u00a0the church<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    This policy statement relates to\u00a0abuse<\/strong>\u00a0as defined in\u00a0Breaking the Silence<\/strong>. It does not apply to any other forms of abuse, grievance or personal injury claim.<\/p>\n

    POLICY STATEMENT<\/b><\/span><\/h1>\n
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    • We commit ourselves to respect other people\u2019s minds, emotions and bodies. We have established\u00a0Breaking the Silence<\/strong>\u00a0as the public criteria according to which the community may judge the resolve of\u00a0the church<\/strong>\u00a0to address issues of abuse within\u00a0the church<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • We acknowledge and accept the trust granted to us by those who are taking part in church activities, their families, and the wider community. We therefore commit ourselves to striving to ensure that all our actions are morally upright.<\/li>\n
    • We acknowledge that, as a church, our responses to\u00a0victims<\/strong>\u00a0in the past have varied greatly. We express regret and sorrow for the hurt caused whenever the response has denied or minimised the pain that\u00a0victims<\/strong>\u00a0have experienced, or caused them to experience further pain.<\/li>\n
    • We are committed to establishing a process that strives for truth and confidentiality. We will ensure as far as possible that a compassionate response is the first priority in all\u00a0allegations<\/strong>, even at a time when it is not yet certain that the\u00a0allegations<\/strong>\u00a0are accurate, through offering assistance, protection and care without passing judgement or prejudicing the rights of the\u00a0alleged offender<\/strong>. We acknowledge that concealing the truth is contrary to the character of God, unjust to\u00a0victims<\/strong>\u00a0and a disservice to\u00a0offenders<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • We understand and value the need for support to all parties involved in an\u00a0allegation<\/strong>, including the\u00a0aggrieved person<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0alleged offender<\/strong>, and we actively seek to provide this support.<\/li>\n
    • We acknowledge the personal and public difficulties that a\u00a0false, misconceived, malicious or vexatious<\/strong>\u00a0allegation\u00a0<\/strong>can cause for the person accused. We will take whatever steps are possible to address these difficulties.<\/li>\n
    • We are willing to know the full extent of the problem of abuse and the causes of such behaviour within\u00a0the church<\/strong>. We will strive to be aware of our legal responsibilities and obligations in relation to prevention, reporting and processing requirements and seek to meet them at all times.<\/li>\n
    • We acknowledge that we have had to make changes in the way that we relate to\u00a0children<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0young people<\/strong>\u00a0and others, as a result, some good things have been lost, however we will bear this loss to ensure as far as possible that the vulnerable are safe.<\/li>\n
    • We will ensure as far as possible that all people in\u00a0positions of authority within the church\u00a0<\/strong>and\/or working with\u00a0children<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0young people<\/strong>\u00a0are aware of the appropriate standard of conduct and boundaries. We require those who work on behalf of\u00a0the church<\/strong>\u00a0to indicate their agreement with this policy statement and work towards providing an environment that prevents abuse.<\/li>\n
    • We believe that churches ought to be places of safety and refuge for\u00a0children<\/strong>,\u00a0young people<\/strong>\u00a0and others, where they should be and feel safe from any threat when on church property or involved in activities operated by\u00a0the church,\u00a0<\/strong>or accessing services provided by\u00a0the church<\/strong>. We believe that\u00a0the church<\/strong>\u00a0should be a place where people can disclose abuse and have it dealt with effectively.<\/li>\n
    • As a church we are committed to the implementation of the\u00a0Royal Commission<\/strong>\u2019s\u00a0Child Safe Standards<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • We will establish a prevention strategy that includes screening, sound recruitment and selection procedures, clear boundaries, risk identification and management, education, support, supervision and training.<\/li>\n
    • We acknowledge that the age of consent for sexual activity is determined by legislation. However, we are mindful that this must be read in the light of our moral and spiritual responsibility. All people in a position of authority within the church, be it real or perceived, paid or unpaid, have a moral and spiritual responsibility towards those over whom they have authority. In this situation it is never appropriate to take part in sexual activity of any kind, regardless of the person\u2019s age. We affirm that sexual behaviour belongs in a marriage relationship only and that in this context it is a good gift of God.<\/li>\n
    • All\u00a0allegations<\/strong>\u00a0will be notified to the appropriate external authorities, overseen by the\u00a0CPU<\/strong>, investigated thoroughly and determined as described in\u00a0Breaking the Silence<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
    • Irrespective of any other action that may be taken by authorities outside\u00a0the church<\/strong>,\u00a0the church<\/strong>\u00a0reserves the right to exercise its powers according to the\u00a0Code of Discipline<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Breaking the Silence<\/strong> wherever this action is deemed necessary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      \"\"OUR CODE OF CONDUCT<\/span><\/h1>\n

      The following constitutes the church\u2019s<\/strong>\u00a0Code of Conduct for behaviour for a person in a\u00a0position of authority within the church<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

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      1. As a person in a\u00a0position of authority within the church<\/strong>\u00a0you must always be concerned about the integrity of your position, likely perceptions of\u00a0the church<\/strong>\u00a0and the wider community, and the need to acknowledge the real or perceived power given to you as a result of holding this position. You should avoid situations where you are vulnerable to temptation or where your conduct may be construed to be a breach of this Code of Conduct. You will make yourself familiar with the provisions of\u00a0Breaking the Silence<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
      2. You must not fail to take action to prevent to the best of your ability and report as required any of the following:\n
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        • child abuse<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
        • a\u00a0child\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0young person\u00a0<\/strong>at\u00a0risk of significant harm<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
        • reportable conduct,<\/strong><\/li>\n
        • sexual misconduct<\/strong>, and \/ or<\/li>\n
        • conduct that breaches the\u00a0Breaking the Silence\u00a0<\/strong>Code of Conduct.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • Sexualised behaviour<\/strong>\u00a0is any behaviour that may reasonably be perceived to be of a sexual nature according to the standards of the time by the person to whom it is directed.\u00a0Sexualised behaviour<\/strong>\u00a0is only permitted as set out in the Word of God. Except with one\u2019s own marriage partner, all\u00a0sexualised behaviour<\/strong>\u00a0is forbidden. If you are not married you must abstain from all sexual or\u00a0sexualised behaviour<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
        • You must not engage in or condone any behaviour that could be considered to be:\n
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          • child abuse<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
          • putting a\u00a0child\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0young person\u00a0<\/strong>at\u00a0risk of significant harm<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
          • reportable conduct,\u00a0<\/strong>and \/ or<\/li>\n
          • conduct that breaches this\u00a0Breaking the Silence\u00a0<\/strong>Code of Conduct.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
          • You must not engage in or condone any behaviour that could be considered to be\u00a0sexual misconduct<\/strong>, understanding that\u00a0sexual misconduct<\/strong>\u00a0is contact or invitation, via any means, of a sexual nature which is inconsistent with the integrity of a person\u00a0in a position of authority within the church<\/strong>.\u00a0Sexual misconduct\u00a0<\/strong>includes any behaviour that could be reasonably considered to be\u00a0sexual assault<\/strong>,\u00a0sexual exploitation<\/strong>,\u00a0sexual harassment, coercion\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0grooming<\/strong>\u00a0of an\u00a0adult<\/strong>\u00a0or a\u00a0child<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0young person<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
          • Sexual exploitation\u00a0<\/strong>refers to any form of\u00a0sexualised behaviour\u00a0<\/strong>with an\u00a0adult<\/strong>,\u00a0child\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0young person<\/strong>, whether or not there is consent and regardless of who initiated the behaviour, where that behaviour is contrary to the Word of God. Therefore, you will not among other things engage in or condone any of the following:\n
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            • behaviour or a pattern of behaviour aimed at the involvement of others in sexual acts, including but not limited to\u00a0coercion<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0grooming behaviour<\/strong>,<\/li>\n
            • sexualised behaviour<\/strong>\u00a0with a person below the age of consent,<\/li>\n
            • sexualised behaviour\u00a0<\/strong>with a person with whom there is a supervisory,\u00a0pastoral care,<\/strong>\u00a0or counselling relationship,<\/li>\n
            • the production, distribution, possession of or accessing of pornographic material of any kind,<\/li>\n
            • taking advantage of the conscious or unconscious use of sexually provocative behaviour that some victims of abuse display,<\/li>\n
            • engaging the services of a prostitute, or soliciting or providing such services,<\/li>\n
            • visiting, without legitimate reason, a brothel or any place maintained for the abuse-of-sex industry,<\/li>\n
            • viewing or reading, in print or otherwise, material of a sexually explicit nature, except for a legitimate purpose,<\/li>\n
            • participating in sexually explicit conversation via social media, chat rooms, gaming or any other means, and<\/li>\n
            • asking, without legitimate reason, any questions about the intimate details of a person\u2019s sexual life or providing details of your own sexual life.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
            • Sexual harassment<\/strong>\u00a0means unwelcome\u00a0sexualised behaviour<\/strong>, whether intended or not, in relation to an\u00a0adult<\/strong>,\u00a0child<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0young person<\/strong>\u00a0where that person reasonably feels in all circumstances offended, belittled or threatened. Such behaviour may consist of a single incident or several incidents over a period of time. Therefore, you will not, among other things engage in or condone:\n
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              • implicit or explicit demands or suggestions for sexual activities,<\/li>\n
              • making any gesture, action or comment of a sexual nature to a person or about a person in their presence,<\/li>\n
              • making jokes containing sexual references or innuendo using any form of communication,<\/li>\n
              • exposure to any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including but not limited to pornography of any kind,<\/li>\n
              • physical contact that is inappropriate to the situation or uncomfortable or confusing for the receiver, including kissing, hugging, touching, pinching, patting or aggressive physical conduct,<\/li>\n
              • touching any sexual part of the body, including the \u201conly kidding\u201d or accidental occasions of sexual touch,<\/li>\n
              • generating or participating in inappropriate personal correspondence (including electronic communication) in respect of sexual or romantic feelings or in breach of the Code of Conduct,<\/li>\n
              • inappropriate giving of gifts, including those of a sexual, suggestive or romantic nature that is in breach of the Code of Conduct,<\/li>\n
              • inappropriate or unnecessary discussion of, or inquiry about, personal matters of a sexual nature,<\/li>\n
              • inappropriate intrusion of personal space or physical privacy, including being alone in a bedroom or bathroom or allowing inappropriate exposure during activities that require dressing or changing clothes,<\/li>\n
              • voyeurism, and<\/li>\n
              • persistent following or stalking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • Coercion\u00a0<\/strong>or\u00a0grooming behaviour\u00a0<\/strong>refers to physical or psychological actions intrinsic to initiating or hiding abusive behaviour, which involved the manipulative cultivation of relationships with vulnerable\u00a0adults<\/strong>,\u00a0children<\/strong>\u00a0and \/ or\u00a0young people<\/strong>, their\u00a0carers<\/strong>\u00a0and others in authority. You will not exhibit any behaviour that could be considered to be\u00a0coercion<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0grooming behaviour<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
              • With regard to\u00a0children<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0young people<\/strong>:\n