The Safe Church Program
We affirm that all people have the right to be emotionally and physically safe, respected, and have their views and opinions valued at all times. We also live in a country that legislates for people’s safety.
The Safe Church Program combines all diocesan action to keep its members safe under one initiative managed by the Diocesan Safe Church Officer.
God calls his body to minister to vulnerable people. God identified classes of vulnerable people who were to be protected and given special care and treatment in society because of their powerlessness (Ex. 22:21-22, Deut. 10:17-19, Jer. 22:2-4, James 1:27)
Our Safe Church Program aims to:
- Minimise the risk of abuse, ministry misconduct and the misuse of positional power.
- Ensure that all cases of suspected abuse and ministry misconduct are handled thoroughly.
- Ensure that leaders and programs are safe.
- Ensure that all people are respected and valued.
How to make a complaint
The diocese of Ballarat takes all complaints of misconduct very seriously.
The Directors of Professional Standrds and Episcopal Standards will respond to all complaints or information of misconduct by clergy, Church workers or the Bishops.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
Questions?
Diocesan Safe Church Officer
The Rev'd Glen Wesley
03 5331 1183
The Diocesan Safe Church Officer manages the Safe Church Program including Clearances for Ministry, Safe Church Training and occupational health & safety and supports parishes in their safety administration.
Clearances for Ministry
Clergy and layperson applications for Clearances for Ministry, including:
- Clearance for Ministry applications
- Police Check applications
- Working with Children Card applications and management
Safe Church Training
Undertake or refresh your Safe Church Training.
Program Publication Library
All Safe Church Program publications, including
- Faithfulness in Service (code of conduct)
- Relevant, state, diocesan and national church legislation
- Diocesan policies and protocols
- Program guidelines and tools
Member Administration
Administration tools for individual clergy and laypersons to manage their records, including:
- Safe Management Online portal
- Working with Children Card portal
- Correction requests
Parish Administration
Administration tools and links for parish clergy and safe church officers, including:
- Assessing your parish for Clearances for Ministry and licensing
- Safe Management Online portal
- Police Check portal for application administration
- OH&S tools for parishes