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Supporting the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
A guide for congregations of the Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia believes establishing itself and its related agencies, schools and congregations as “child safe organisations” is important. In 1999, the UCA adopted the “A Safe Place for Children” policy, which states:
“The Uniting Church in Australia is committed to provide safe places where people are cared for, nurtured and sustained. The Uniting Church commits itself to the care, protection and safety of all children relating with it or its agencies.We seek to provide a safe environment for children to encounter God, to develop relationships as part of the community, and to grow in faith.”
Publication date: June 2014
About the Royal Commission
Some children in the care of the Uniting Church and its former denominations were subjected to a variety of abuse. We must be willing to examine our own motives and behaviour and be open to accept the close scrutiny of others. In this regard, the UCA welcomes the decision by the Federal Government to establish a Royal Commission on the sexual abuse of children in both public and church institutions, and pledges full and honest cooperation with the process. The sexual abuse of children is criminal behaviour that is totally abhorrent and unacceptable.
The Uniting Church has strong theological foundations to its commitment to address the injustice of child abuse. Redress of wrongs is captured in the Basis of Union, which states: “the Uniting Church prays that through the gift of the Spirit, God will constantly correct that which is erroneous in life.” (Basis of Union, Para 18)
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is a body inquiring into how the wide range of organisations in our society with a responsibility for children, including governments, have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse.
It is investigating system failures and making recommendations on how to improve laws, policies and practices
to prevent and better respond to child sexual abuse in institutions.
It is holding public hearings and private sessions in Australian capital cities and has invited responses to various Issues Papers to which the Uniting Church has replied.
In its first year, the Commission has received 8,500 phone calls and 3,300 letters. It has heard the stories of more than 1,000 people who suffered child sexual abuse. One way it is investigating institutional responses to child sexual abuse is by examining particular case studies of an issue, or a cluster of complaints against an organisation.
The Uniting Church is actively preparing for any involvement with the Royal Commission. The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has established a Task Group to do this work. There is also a National Task Group coordinating the responses of all Synods.
The Synod Task Group is gathering and evaluating the policies on the prevention of child sexual abuse that each entity of the Church has developed. It is also gathering data about past allegations and handling of child abuse. This includes reviewing and improving access to our records.
Please visit the website for more information: www.victas.uca.org.au
What does the Royal Commission mean for your congregation?
Receiving a disclosure
Reporting abuseOngoing publicity about the Royal Commission, and about child sexual abuse in general, means that people who have suffered childhood sexual abuse are being reminded of painful experiences. The Church encourages anyone who has experienced childhood sexual abuse in an institutional setting, such as a church, school, or ‘care’ facility, to come forward and tell their story to the Royal Commission.
If the abuse took place in another setting not covered by the Royal Commission, for example abuse
Whenever a child, young person or adult tells someone that they are being harmed, or that they
have been harmed or abused as a child in the past, this is known as a disclosure.
The fact that someone makes a disclosure is rare, and indicates a
level of trust. An appropriate response is needed.
Report all disclosures from children and young people alleging harm, abuse or neglect to both local police (000) and child protection services (VIC – www.dhs.vic.gov.au or Ph: 13 12 78; TAS – www.dhhs.tas.gov.au or Ph: 1300 737 639). If in doubt seek advice from the Safe Church Educator. If the person is an adult, encourage them to seek professional counselling for support in telling their story to the Royal Commission, the police, and the Church if the abuse happened within the organisation.
committed by a family member or neighbour, it is still important to tell your story in a safe environment, with the help of a trained counsellor.
One of the benefits of the Royal Commission is the raising of issues that were once kept secret, and the removal of stigma and shame from those who have been abused. The effects of childhood sexual abuse are lasting and profound, and help is available.
The UCA remains committed to supporting people who have
experienced child sexual abuse, and encourages those who may be aware of any instances of child sexual abuse in the church or its agencies or activities to come forward.
The Royal Commission has opened the eyes of our society. We can no longer pretend that churches are havens from child sexual abuse.
But it has also strengthened our resolve to prevent further mistreatment, and is giving us more tools ensure the Church and its related entities are safe for all.
Do• Listen – do not add anything to what the
child, young person or adult says• Reassure the person they have done the
right thing in speaking to you• Inform the person you need to tell people
who can assist• Ensure the person is not in immediate
danger
Care after hearing a disclosure
Telling your story to the Royal Commission
In a church setting, it is highly likely you will remain in contact with the person who has made the disclosure. It is important to recognise that the child or adult has disclosed to you because they trust you and feel safe with you.
The effect of hearing a disclosure can include reactions such as shock, anger, sympathy for the victim, frustration, and distress. It is important to be fully present to the needs of the person who has disclosed, and to seek help from another person to work through your feelings and the effect of hearing the disclosure. Counselling and other resources are listed at the back of this booklet.
If you experienced child sexual abuse within the church or its affiliated entities, and want to share your story with the Royal Commission, you can do this in writing, by telephone or in person. Please Ph: 1800 099 340 or visit: www.childabuseroyalcomission.gov.au.
Knowmore is an independent service offering free legal assistance to people considering telling their story or providing information to the Royal Commission. Ph: 1800 605 762 or visit: www.knowmore.org.au. This website also includes details on support and counselling services, factsheets and information on caring for survivors.
Do not• Do not start an investigation into the
information• Do not promise the abuse will stop• Do not tell anyone who does not need
to know
Telling your story to the UCA
Preventing child abuse in the UCA today
Please contact Rev Lauren Mosso (left) if you or someone you know, has experienced sexual abuse within the Uniting Church, its congregations or activities, or in church activities in one of its former denominations.
Lauren is the Ethical Standards Officer and a Uniting Church Minister with experience in conciliating discrimination and workers compensation matters.Ph: 9340 8825 (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday) or E: [email protected]
The Uniting Church undertakes to ensure that all matters are handled sensitively, with appropriate confidentiality and pastoral care.
If the abuse took place in an agency, or ‘care’ facility, school or other institution:Through our predecessor denominations, the Presbyterian, Congregational and Methodist Churches, a number of children’s ‘homes’ were in operation throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. A small amount of out-of-home care is still provided by UnitingCare agencies in this Synod.
We also continue to provide children’s and youth programs across the church.
If the allegations of child sexual abuse are about events that took place in an agency of the Uniting Church, please contact Stephanie Lagos (right).
Stephanie is the Director of UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania and a trauma specialist psychologist with qualifications in Social Work and Family Mediation. Ph: 9251 5283 or E: [email protected]
If the allegations of child sexual abuse are about events that took place in a school of the Uniting Church, please contact Adrian Pyle, Director, Relationships Innovations, Ph: 9251 5253 or E: [email protected]
In 2011, the Synod created a Culture of Safety unit which works with presbyteries and congregations on abuse prevention. New Safe Church frameworks developed include:
• the over-arching Creating a Safe Environment for Children and Vulnerable Adults in our Church policy, which offers guidance about preventing all forms of abuse, and requires that child abuse be reported to the police and child protection services
• the Code of Conduct for the Prevention of Abuse policy, which presents a clear set of behaviour expectations for lay and ordained leaders, members and volunteers
• the Safe Leaders Guide ensuring the careful selection
of all church leaders with appropriate background and Working with Children checks, supervision and accountability
• the Policy and Intervention for Persons of Concern that manages the risk posed by the presence of a known sexual offender in a congregation
• the provision of Safe Church awareness training and implementation support
• these policies and a brochure on preventing sexual grooming of children are available on the Culture of Safety section of the Synod’s website. Visit: www.victas.uca.org.au
Congregations are strongly encouraged to implement these policies, attend Safe Church
awareness training when it is offered, and appoint a Safe Church Contact Person, to ensure your church is a safe place for all.
Please contact Josh Woollett (below), Safe Church Educator, for more information.
Where to from here?
The journey to recovery and healing for survivors of child sexual abuse is a long one. Taking the first steps on the journey opens up painful experiences that may have been hidden for many years. Survivors of abuse need care and understanding from family, friends and the Church.
The Bethel Pastoral Centre provides confidential counselling and support for people who have experienced abuse within the church. It is an independent service offered by the UCA. Ph: (03) 9859 8700 or visit: www.bethelcentre.com.au
1800 RESPECT is a 24-hour sexual assault and domestic violence support hotline. Ph: 1800 737 732 or visit: www.1800respect.org.auAdults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) provides telephone counselling and facilitates workshops.Ph: 1300 657 380 or www.asca.org.au
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) offers a 24-hour counselling service. Victoria Ph: 1800 806 292Tasmania Ph: 6431 9711www.casahouse.com.au
Lifeline is a 24-hour crisis support hotline.Ph: 13 11 14 or www.lifeline.org.au
Open Place is a support service for Forgotten Australians.Ph: 1800 779 379 or www.openplace.org.au
Relationships Australia provides family dispute resolution, support and education services.Ph: 1300 736 966 or www.relationships.org.au
Tasmania – Victims Support Services Ph: 1300 300 238 or www.justice.tas.gov.au/victims
Victoria - Sexual Assault Crisis LinePh: 1800 806 292 or www.sacl.com.au
Please visit www.knowmore.org.au for additional information on support services
The Uniting Church has been actively preparing for its involvement in the Royal Commission. The Synod of Victoria and Tasmania has established a Task Group to do this work.
The Task Group comprises the Executive Director of the Commission for Mission as Chair, the General Secretary of the Synod, representatives from UnitingCare Victoria and Tasmania, the Presbytery of Tasmania, UnitingCare agencies, Uniting Church schools and the Synod’s Culture of Safety Unit.
The Royal Commission Unit is led by Charles Gibson, Executive Officer and a small team of staff. This team supports the work of the Task Group and can be contacted on 9251 5406 or [email protected]
Josh is a social worker with experience in child protection. Ph: 9340 8810 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) or E: [email protected]
