Safeguarding Chancery & Parishes

The Safeguarding Office (Chancery & Parishes) assists to develop a culture and practice of safeguarding amongst chancery staff, the clergy and parishes to protect children, young people and vulnerable adults.

General Enquiries: P 02 8379 1605 E safeguarding@bbcatholic.org.au

Visiting Clergy and Religious (Screening Practices): E clergy.safeguarding@bbcatholic.org.au

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS

REDRESS & SUPPORT

The Diocese of Broken Bay recognises and apologises for the failings of the Catholic Church in the past. The Chancery & Parishes of the Diocese wishes to ensure survivors are welcomed to engage with us and tell their story, and that our response will provide the survivor with a sense of safe engagement and will take all concerns seriously.

The Chancery & Parishes of the Diocese will comply with civil requirements to report allegations of abuse to police and other authorities.

The Chancery & Parishes of the Diocese through its learnings from the past and current commitment to Safeguarding today wishes to build culture and raise awareness of safe communities.

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Survivors have a right to seek legal advice and this is encouraged. Professional legal input may assist to make the most informed decision possible going forward. However, if this is not a feasible course of action, we welcome contact with the Safeguarding Office (Chancery & Parishes) who will discuss further options with you.

If anyone has been abused by a member of Clergy or Workers from the Diocese of Broken Bay we encourage them to bring their complaint forward and to consider the following pathways for redress:

NATIONAL REDRESS SCHEME:
The National Redress Scheme is in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and allows eligible survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to apply for redress in the form of monetary payments, counselling and support and direct personal responses from the responsible institution.

One of the key recommendations of the Royal Commission was that a National Redress Scheme be set up. This has been established as at 1 July 2018 and the Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay has applied to be a part of this Scheme. Visit the National Redress Scheme website for further information about the Scheme, or call 1800 737 377.

Who can apply? You can apply to the Scheme if:
  • you experienced sexual abuse when you were a child (under 18 years of age) and
  • the abuse happened before 1 July 2018, and an institution was responsible for bringing you into contact with the person who abused you, and
  • you were born before 30 June 2010, and
  • you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

For more information on eligibility please click here.

CIVIL REDRESS:
If you are considering, or wish to commence, a claim for compensation in court and you are a person who has suffered child sexual abuse by Church personnel and are considering making a claim against the Diocese in relation to a claim of sexual abuse, we recommend obtaining legal advice about your options for compensation. Subject to the advice you receive, your lawyer may initiate contact with us directly in relation to the nature of your claim.

SUPPORT SERVICES
The Royal Commission have listed support services.

Within the Church in Australia there are already a number of established services for victims and survivors of sexual abuse;
  • The National Response Protocol is a framework for Catholic entities across Australia to respond consistently to people raising concerns or allegations of child sexual abuse.
  • Catholic Social Services Australia is the national network of Catholic social services. The majority of their members provide counselling and support services.
Support Groups and Services

CHILD SAFE ORGANISATION

The Diocesan community endeavours to provide a safe environment where children and young people’s rights, needs and interests are met.

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The Royal Commission recommended 10 child safe standards, drawing on findings and extensive research and consultation about what makes institutions child safe. These standards have been adopted at a National level as the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. The Australian Catholic Church has also articulated a framework that promotes the safety of children, developed upon the 10 child safe standards. This framework provides the 10 National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS). The NCSS are designed to drive cultural and behavioural change and promote accountability and transparency of Catholic Church leaders and their ministries and services. (CPSL, 2018). The NSW Government has endorsed the child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission. The OCG have produced a guide to the Child Safe Standards (PDF 7.5MB) to support organisations working with children to create, maintain and improve their child safe practices.

The Standards assist to provide a regulatory framework which can be audited against and assist in reducing risk and continual improvement.

 

Working With Children Check
The Working with Children Check is only one way our Chancery & Parishes ensure those that access children act appropriately.

  • Those roles that are required to have a WWCC under legislation including volunteers must apply for their own Working with Children Check which is valid for five years which is then verified.
  • The Safeguarding Office (Chancery & Parishes) manages all Working with Children Check verifications for Clergy and Chancery paid workers who are in child related roles.
  • Parishes manage all the Working with Children Check verifications for paid workers or volunteers in child related roles.
  • All persons with a clearance will be continuously monitored by the Office of Children's Guardian.
  • All Chancery & Parish workers in child related roles, including volunteers, are required to renew their Working with Children’s Check prior to the expiry date.

The Safeguarding Office (Chancery & Parishes) assists with advice on which roles are considered child related and require a check. Positions that are considered child related cannot be commenced until the check is verified.