In 2023, the message that ‘Every child in every community needs a fair go’ will be complemented with the theme ‘Where we start matters’.
Click here to see the National Child Protection Week 2023 Webinar Series
There are also further resources on the Catholic Australia website for Safeguarding Sunday 2023.
The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay is committed to the care, wellbeing and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The role of Safeguarding in the Diocese seeks to ensure children, young people and vulnerable adults are provided with the fundamental right to be kept safe and respected. This commitment is held sacred in our Gospel, international and local laws and within our Church policy and practice.
Safeguarding key dates in 2023
Liturgy of Lament 12 October
National Children's Week 23-20 October
Safer Internet Day 7 February
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 15 June
Safeguarding refers to the actions that the Diocese takes to promote the safety, care and well-being of children and adults at risk through preventing and protecting them from abuse and responding appropriately if abuse and harm occur.
The Diocese of Broken Bay demonstrates a commitment to their people by the provision of many varied works for the Common Good. It is through these works that the value and personal dignity of the person is celebrated and protected. When a Diocesan community is called upon to safeguard its people, the Catholic Church is asking them to pro-actively support a culture of safety and care that espouses honesty, engagement, and conversation.
The result is a community environment where children and vulnerable adults: know that their community is alert to areas of risk and harm, and are capable of applying appropriate actions of prevention; are confident to voice their concerns at all times, and have trust that their concerns will be listened to respectfully and seriously.
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Listen to Bishop Anthony talk about safeguarding here.
We the people of the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay are committed to fostering communities of safety and care for all people, especially for children and others in the community who are vulnerable. Our commitment is underscored by our faith in Jesus Christ who teaches the fundamental sanctity of each human person, and by our dedication to sustained education, practice, and conversation about our moral, legal, and spiritual obligation to safeguard all those within our community.
You can read our full commitment here. ** concerns involving suspected criminal behaviour or child abuse and possible breaches of the Code of Conduct by any Worker will be taken seriously and responded to as a matter of priority.
Our Code of Conduct policy provides guidance on appropriate and expected standards of behaviour for all Workers. It applies to applies to clergy, employees, contractors, volunteers, work experience students and trainees. It sets out the standards of conduct, professional and personal behaviour that the Diocese requires of its workers to uphold and achieve a safe, supportive, productive and harmonious workplace.
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The Diocesan Safeguarding Executive (DSE) is a unifying leadership team comprising the Director, Diocesan Safeguarding Office (Chair) and the Manager for Safeguarding of each Agency – Chancery and Parishes, Catholic Schools Broken Bay and CatholicCare.
The DSE’s role is to work together to drive a whole of Diocese approach to safeguarding, consistent with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards.
You can read more about the role of the DSE in section 8.2 of the The Diocesan Safeguarding Office Charter, and see the governance structure in Section 4.
Photo: (L to R) Angela Thomas - Manager CatholicCare, Melinda Rixon - Manager Catholic Schools Broken Bay, Jodie Crisafulli - Director, Ana Kosi - Manager Chancery & Parishes
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If you see something say something.
We all have a collective responsibility to care for everyone in our Diocese.
If you are worried about someone or if you, or someone close to you, has suffered abuse by someone from the Catholic Church, we encourage you to contact us. We will listen to you, and we will discuss your options with you.
You can either contact your local community leader or fill out the form here.
The Diocese ensures compliance with legislation and reporting requirements, including reporting to Police https://www.police.nsw.gov.au/, the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice
Chancery & Parishes P 02 8379 1605 E safeguarding@bbcatholic.org.au
Catholic Schools P 02 9847 0610 E safeguarding@dbb.catholic.edu.au
Catholic Care P 02 9481 2683 E angela.thomas@catholiccaredbb.org.au