We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community.
Our initiatives prioritise the well-being of individuals, with a focus on ensuring that all clergy and workers are trained and screened to uphold the highest standards of care.
Safe environments
We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment that prioritizes the wellbeing of all individuals within our community..
Trained & Screened Clergy & Workers
Our focus is on ensuring that all clergy and workers are trained and screened to uphold the highest standards of care.
Immediate Response to Abuse Reports
We are committed to a process that ensures the immediate, sensitive, and thorough response to all abuse reports to maintain the highest standards of care.
Introduction
This Anglican Diocese of Adelaide has implemented robust, contemporary policies, training, and procedures to ensure a culture of safety, transparency, and accountability. Our focus is not only on preventing future harm but also on providing meaningful support and healing for those affected, establishing a renewed foundation of trust and integrity within our community. We recognise the profound harm caused by past failures, we extend our deepest apologies for abuse committed within the Church and stand in solidarity with survivors.
The Purpose of Safe Ministry
By implementing a comprehensive Safe Ministry framework, we aim to establish clear guidelines for those who require clearance and to foster a culture of transparency and accountability.
Safe Ministry Framework
Our Safe Ministry Framework of Safe Ministry Policy and Procedures, Code of Conduct, Safe Ministry Clearance including Safe Ministry Training, and a Safe Ministry Co-ordinator in each Parish, exists to ensure that our church environments, our spaces, leaders and culture, are safe. The Anglican Diocese of Adelaide aims to ensure that all people within its environments are free from harm or abuse.
The Diocese of Adelaide aims to ensure that:
- All clergy, church workers and volunteers undertake to act in accordance with these standards
- That all people, especially children and the vulnerable, are to be protected from all forms of abuse including physical, sexual, psychological and spiritual
- That where abuse has occurred, it is identified and responded to immediately
To achieve this, the Diocese has in place a Safe Ministry ‘clearance’ process, consisting of screening and training, for all clergy, those licensed by the Bishop, paid church workers, and volunteers serving in any prescribed capacity within a church or related entity. Following successful completion of the initial screening and training process, clearance needs to be renewed every three years.
If you have any other queries, please contact the Safe Ministry Unit by emailing safeministry@adelaideanglicans.com. In addition, the Diocese applies the Anglican Church of Australia Persons of Concern Policy.
Useful Resources
Safe Ministry Clearance
You can now obtain Safe Ministry clearance in 4 easy steps. This page will outline the steps, and get you started with Step 1 of the application process.
01
Submit your diocesan application
Complete the relevant online Diocesan safe ministry clearance application form (see below).
02
Complete your state clearance
Once Step One is complete, you will be given information about how to fill out the relevant South Australian State Government clearance form.
03
Undertake safe ministry training
Once the screening stage of your application has been successfully completed, you’ll be given information about how to undertake the necessary training.
04
Receive your clearance letter
Once the training is completed the application process is complete and you will receive a Safe Ministry compliance letter.
What You’ll Need
Select the relevant clearance application form. Once you’ve completed Step One, you’ll receive an email notification of receipt along with directions to complete Step Two. Below you’ll find the information you’ll need to complete your application
Refer to this document to confirm whether you need a Safe Ministry Clearance and Working with Children Check.
Find the Right Form
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Apologies
As a Church, we acknowledge the harm caused by past actions and failures, and we recognise the importance of listening, truth-telling and repentance. The statements below are formal apologies made by the Diocese of Adelaide as part of our ongoing commitment to justice, healing and reconciliation.
Apology to LGBTQI+ people
The 163rd Annual Session of the Synod of the Diocese of Adelaide in October 2017 resolved:
“We apologise to, and seek forgiveness from, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer whom we have hurt by words and behaviour that have not displayed the love of God. We are deeply sorry for any harm we have done and repent of such ungodly behaviour.”
Apology to survivors of abuse and their families
The following resolution was unanimously carried by the Synod meeting in June 2004:
“That this Synod and we as members of it acknowledge with deep regret and repentance the past failings of the Church and its members. On behalf of the whole Church in this diocese we apologise unreservedly to those who have been harmed by sexual abuse perpetrated by people holding positions of power and trust in the Church. We apologise for the shameful way we actively worked against and discouraged those who came to us and reported abuse. We are ashamed to have acknowledged that we only took notice when the survivors of abuse became a threat to us. We apologise and ask forgiveness for the Church’s failure at many levels to listen to and acknowledge the plight of those who have been abused, to take adequate steps to assist them, and to prevent abuse from happening or recurring. We commit the Church in this diocese to listen to survivors of abuse, to respond with compassion to all those who have been harmed, both to those who have come forward and to those who may choose to do so in the future, and to deal appropriately, transparently and fairly with those accused of abuse and negligence.”
A permanent plaque carrying this apology dedicated to those who suffered and those who continue to suffer was affixed to the Narthex of St Peter’s Cathedral Adelaide at the Service of Apology to Survivors by The Most Reverend Geoffrey Smith, Archbishop of Adelaide on Shrove Tuesday 2020.
Reports
As part of our ongoing commitment to truth, accountability and healing, the Diocese of Adelaide has made available a number of key reports and statements. These documents reflect the Church’s responsibility to acknowledge past failings, respond to injustice, and continue learning. We share them openly in the spirit of transparency, with the hope that they may contribute to meaningful change within the Church and the wider community.
Board of Inquiry 2004
Report of the Board of Inquiry into the handling of claims of sexual abuse and misconduct within the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide. The Honourable Trevor Olsson and Dr Donna Chung May 2004
The findings of the Board and recommendations are set out in the body of this report:
Further statements issued by the members of the Board of Inquiry in relation to the report:
Morrison Report 2005
A research report commissioned by the Adelaide Diocese into the way clergy and church workers report abuse to civil authorities. Authored by Dr Morrison, a South Australian Rhodes Scholar and former Oxford University Lecturer.
This report is part of the commitment to learn more about what we are doing well and what we need to change. As part of the Diocese’ commitment to the people of the church and the community we have released the full report. There are many others who will benefit from the information it contains.
Wendt Clarke 2024 Final Report for Anglican Diocese of Adelaide
A research report commissioned by the Adelaide Diocese into the way clergy and church workers respond to reports of child sexual abuse and family and domestic violence discosures as an update to the Morrison Report in 2005.
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2017
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Royal Commission Final Report Vol 3 Impacts
Royal Commission Case Study 36 – Findings Report – Church of England Boys Society
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