Safe Church Progam

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Our Commitment

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 all members are are safe.
  • Ensure that all people are respected and valued.
Safe Chuch Policy
Child Safe Policy
Diocesan Code of Conduct

Portal Pages

Making a Complaint

The diocese of Ballarat takes all complaints of misconduct very seriously. 

The Directors of Professional Standards and Episcopal Standards will respond to all complaints or information of misconduct by clergy, Church Workers or Bishops.

Find Out More

Clearance 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
Apply

Safe Church Training

Undertake or refresh your Safe Church Training

  • For all lay and clerical ministers
  • For everyone involved in ministries with children

Launching in September

Responding to a
Current Situation

Guidelines and who to contact when responding to a situation you or someone you know is in, including:

  • Bullying 
  • Family & Domestic Violence
  • Sexual Violence

If someone is in immadiate danger - call 000 imediatly

Coming soon - Please contact the Diocesan Safe Church Officer for advice

Contact the DSCO

Reporting Abuse

Understanding who to report to and when it is important and often mandatory.

Download the guideline or contact the Diocesan Safe Church Officer

Guidelines: Reporting Abuse
Contact the DSCO

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
Parish Administration

Ministry to Children

Guidelines: Ministry to Children

Responding to Family Violence

Guidelines: Understanding and Responding to Family & Domestic Violence

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
Use Library

Member Administration

Administration tools for individual clergy and laypersons to manage their records, including:

  • Safe Management Online Records
  • Working with Children Cards
  • Correction requests
Member Administration

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

Find Out More

Program Change Log

The Safe Church Program is being implemented while the legislation and rules that guide it a constantly evolving. Due to its evolving nature, there will be constant development and change.

View the log of program changes.

View Change Log

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Check to see if your question has been answered already

Coming soon