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Complaints & Redress

If you need support or have experienced harm, we’re here to listen and help.

Creating safe, respectful communities is at the heart of who we are.

We acknowledge with deep sorrow that abuse and misconduct have occurred in church settings, and we are committed to truth, accountability and care in our response. If you have been harmed or are concerned about the behaviour of a church worker, past or present, support is available.

Using the navigation on this page, you will find guidance on how to report abuse, seek redress, make a complaint or raise a concern. We also provide contact details for independent support services, information about grievance procedures, and access to our Survivor Advocate. No matter when or where something happened, you are not alone, and we are here to listen, believe and support you.

Report Abuse by Church Workers

We are committed to fostering a safe and respectful church community. This section outlines how you can report concerns, seek support, and understand the steps we take to respond to abuse, misconduct or grievances involving church workers.

Reporting abuse to Kooyoora

The Anglican Diocese does not tolerate abuse, harassment, racism or other misconduct. If any person has concerns about the behaviour of a church worker, past or present, they can contact Kooyoora Ltd.

We are deeply distressed that there have been occasions when abuse and misconduct have occurred in our community. Kooyoora Ltd is independent of the diocese and receives and manages complaints about abuse and misconduct by church workers.

The diocese is committed to doing all that is possible to ensure that abuse does not occur. All complains of abuse are taken very seriously and we do all we can to lessen harm. We offer respect, pastoral care and support to anyone who makes a complaint.

You can contact Kooyoora Ltd by calling 1800 135 246 or emailing contact@kooyoora.org.au

The Diocese has a comprehensive Professional Standards regime in place to deal with complaints where the complaint concerns behaviour by Church Workers that calls into question their fitness to hold a position in the Church.

You will find the Professional Standards Ordinance and Protocols on our Ordinances Page.

Complaints about an Archbishop

For a professional standards complaint against the Archbishop only, please refer to the General Synod Episcopal Standards.

Grievances

Diocesan Council has adopted a Grievance Policy and Procedures which implement the principles enunciated by the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia in “Being Together: Expectations of behaviour in our church community.”

The purpose of the policy is to provide an avenue through which members and employees of the Anglican Church in the Diocese can resolve complaints as they arise, without fear of unfair treatment or victimisation and in the knowledge that their privacy will be protected.

Communities should always try to resolve grievances locally and quickly through the Parish Priest and Wardens, or by calling on the area Archdeacon for assistance.

You will find the Grievance Policy and Procedures on our Policies Page.

Seek Redress for Abuse

Seeking redress can be an important step in healing from past harm. The Diocese of Adelaide recognises the deep and lasting impact of abuse, and is committed to acknowledging that harm and offering pathways toward justice and support. Through the National Redress Scheme, survivors can access a process that is independent, respectful and focused on their needs.

Our Commitment

The Diocese of Adelaide is committed to the National Redress Scheme to provide an avenue for redress for those who have experienced abuse in the church. The Diocese was declared as a Participating Institution in the Scheme on 27 February 2019.

Applying to the National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme is for people who experienced sexual abuse as children in an institution, including the Anglican Church.

It offers support through counselling, a redress payment, and the option of a personal response. Applications can be made online through the official National Redress Scheme website.

Visit the Website

Survivors' Advocate

If you would like to speak with someone about your support and reporting options or you are a survivor of abuse that happened in a church setting, whether it happened yesterday or many years ago, in the Diocese of Adelaide or elsewhere, and you would like to talk to someone about what happened to you, please get in touch with the independent Survivor Advocate, Sharon Lockwood.

Sharon Lockwood

Survivors' Advocate

Mobile 0420 519 113
Email survivorsadvocate@adelaideanglicans.com

The Survivor Advocate can assist survivors in relation to the following:

  • Provide co-ordination and support for survivors
  • Provide assistance with the Direct Personal Response process for survivors involved with the National Redress Scheme
  • Respond to any enquiries for information about counselling services available, reporting avenues and support options

Sharon is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays & alternate Fridays and works independently of the Diocesan Offices in an off-site location.

Sharon has 30 years of experience in social work practice with survivors of sexual harm and has an extensive work history in the provision of crisis intervention, ongoing therapeutic counselling services and training programs. She has worked in a variety of settings including Victim Support Service, Respond SA, the University of Adelaide and Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service, where she worked for over 21 years.

Resources & Services

If you or someone you know is seeking support, these independent services offer confidential counselling, advocacy and assistance. They are staffed by experienced professionals and operate separately from the Church, ensuring safe and trusted access to help when it’s needed most.

Support Resources Filter
1800 Respect
24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling, information and referral for anyone in Australia who has experienced or been impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence. Staffed by trauma specialist counsellors.
1800 737 732
Visit Website
Adults Surviving Child Abuse
National professional phone counselling, information and support for adult survivors of child abuse with referral database of experienced professionals and agencies. Provides workshops for survivors, family members, partners and friends.
1300 657 380
Visit Website
Bravehearts
Specialist case management, counselling and telephone counselling for child and adult survivors, non-offending family members and friends. Services include counselling, support engaging with the Royal Commission, preparation of written statements, attending private sessions and public hearings.
1800 272 831
Visit Website
Child Wise
Trauma-informed telephone and online counselling for childhood abuse. Training and organisational capacity building on child abuse prevention.
1800 991 099
Visit Website
Elm Place
Elm Place is the home of support services to people whose lives have been affected by institutional and out-of-home care as children specifically, Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants, the Stolen Generations and people affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
08 8223 4566
Visit Website
In Good Faith Foundation
Provides independent advocacy, casework, referral and support to aid recovery for victims, their families and communities responding to clergy, religious and lay abuse.
03 9326 5991
Visit Website
iSurvive
We offer support and resources at isurvive. Within our support forums, you will find both open and private areas where you can seek support. As a member, the private forums offer security in the knowledge that public access is restricted. It is sad that so many need a place like isurvive.org but we aim to foster and maintain an environment that proves to be safe, supportive and informative.
Visit Website
Lifeline
24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.
131 114
Visit Website
Nunkuwarrin Yunti of SA
Provides counselling, healing and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous Australians.
08 8406 1600
Visit Website
Relationships Australia SA
Royal Commission Support Services provides counselling, assistance and support for people who are engaging with the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. We can also provide support to family members or other people connected with a person who is engaging with the Royal Commission.
1800 998 187
Visit Website
Suicide Call Back Service
24/7 counselling for people 18 years and over who are suicidal, caring for someone who is suicidal or people bereaved by suicide.
1300 659 467
Visit Website
Survivors and Mates Support Network (SAMSN)
Survivors & Mates Support Network (SAMSN) is a not-for-profit organisation working to increase public awareness of the effects that childhood sexual abuse can have on men in their adult lives. SAMSN employs psychologists and social workers who have experience working with male survivors to facilitate support groups for men and their families and supporters.
1800 472 676
Visit Website
Victim Support Service South Australia
Provides support, face to face and phone counselling and advocacy to people affected by the Royal Commission, as well as ongoing support for people to engage with the Commission. Services available in Adelaide and 7 country regions.
1800 182 368
Visit Website
Women’s Safety Services South Australia
Supports women and their children who are experiencing domestic and family violence. Committed to helping people find safety and support during and after experiencing abuse. WSSSA has a range of programs and services over numerous sites to assist people in South Australia.
8152 9200 or 1800 800 098 (Domestic Violence Crisis Line – 24 hours)
Visit Website
Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service
Provides medical and counselling services for people aged 16 years or older at the time of being sexually assaulted. Provides a 24-hour Crisis Response Service for recent sexual assault, which includes support from a social worker, medical care from a doctor or nurse, and collection of forensic evidence for people who are considering taking legal action regarding the sexual assault. Provides crisis and ongoing counselling and advocacy services for recent and past sexual assault, for survivors and for their support people.
1800 817 421
info@yarrowplace.sa.gov.au
Visit Website

Person of Concern

In line with the Synod’s adoption of the General Synod Safe Ministry to Children Canon 2017 the Diocese has in place the Policy for Safe Ministry in a parish where there is a risk of sexual abuse by a Person of Concern.

This policy helps to ensure the safety of adults and children where a Person of Concern (POC) is currently participating or wishes to participate in the life of a parish, and outlines in detail the process to be followed.

A POC is defined as a person whose presence constitutes a risk of sexual abuse to people in the parish and may include one or more of the following:

  • a person who has pleaded guilty to, has been convicted of, or has admitted to having committed, a sexual criminal offence; or
  • a person who is currently charged with a sexual criminal offence; or
  • a person who has been disciplined or had other action taken against them under a disciplinary or professional standards process of the Church because of Sexual Misconduct, or who has been refused ordination, employment or appointment in the Church because of an adverse risk assessment arising from Sexual Misconduct; or
  • a person against whom allegations of Sexual Misconduct are currently being dealt with under a disciplinary or professional standards process of the Church; or
  • a person who has been disciplined by an organisation other than the Anglican Church of Australia for Sexual Misconduct; or
  • a person who, as a result of Sexual Misconduct, has received an adverse risk assessment from a professional with appropriate qualifications and experience in accordance with the requirements of another church or a statutory authority; or
  • a person who has received or is receiving treatment for disordered sexual behaviour.

The Professional Standards Director (PSD) exercises major responsibility in the implementation of this policy, is responsible for managing the assessment of risk and must be involved in decisions about the POC.

It is imperative that as soon as practicable after you suspect or know that a POC is participating or wishes to participate in the life of your parish, you notify the PSD.

If you are unsure whether a person is a Person of Concern, or require further information or advice, please consult the Professional Standards Director by phoning 1300 135 246 or emailing contact@kooyoora.org.au

Read our Person of Concern Policy

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