Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults
Statement of Commitment
Children and vulnerable adults are important parts of C&MA churches and ministries and we are committed to creating supportive environments where they are safe to learn, grow, connect and belong. We value and respect all within in our care and in our communities and we work to prevent abuse by:
• maintaining environments where children and vulnerable adults feel safe and respected, and know their rights and wellbeing are prioritised
• requiring our churches to implement effective recruitment practices and ongoing training to ensure our workforce and church leaders are safe and supported, and understand:
o what behaviours are safe when interacting with children and vulnerable adults,
o what behaviours are unsafe; and
o what to do if they become aware a child or vulnerable adult is at risk or has been harmed
• maintaining a culture of safety, and working to ensure our people and places are culturally inclusive, equity is upheld, and diverse needs are respected
• setting expectations that everyone across our C&MA community should take responsibility and positive action to increase the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable adults
• collaborating with and listening to children and vulnerable adults, to ensure they are participating in the decisions that affect them
• committing to continuous improvement of our child safe culture, risk assessment and risk reduction strategies, policies and practices
• offering accessible, person-focussed and secure complaints reporting options to ensure harm, or risk of harm is reported to appropriate authorities in a timely manner.
All have the right to be safe, and we are dedicated and intentional in our efforts to create safety.
Each of us is responsible and accountable for the safety of children and vulnerable adults who interact with us every day, within every C&MA church and ministry.