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We are
committed
to
dealing
with the
issue of
abuse
within
the
church…
This
policy
applies
to all
congregations,
presbyteries,
organisations,
and
committees
within
the
church.
It is
our
commitment
to
dealing
with
abuse
within
the
church.
This
policy
relates
to child
abuse,
including
the
sexual
abuse of
children
and
young
people,
and the
abuse of
authority
by those
in a
position
of
authority
within
the
church
as
defined
in
Section
5: Abuse
of
authority.
It does
not
apply to
any
other
forms of
abuse,
grievance
or
personal
injury
claim.
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We
acknowledge
and
accept
the
extraordinary
amount
of
trust
granted
to
us
by
those
who
are
taking
part
in
church
activities,
their
families,
and
the
wider
community.
We
therefore
commit
ourselves
to
ensuring
that
all
our
actions
are
morally
upright.
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We
believe
that
churches
ought
to
be
places
of
safety
and
refuge
for
children,
young
people
and
others,
that
they
be,
and
feel,
safe
from
any
threat
when
on
church
property
or
involved
in
activities
operated
by
the
church,
or
accessing
services
provided
by
the
church
. We
believe
that
the
church
should
be a
place
where
people
can
disclose
abuse
and
have
it
dealt
with
effectively.
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We
acknowledge
that,
as a
church,
our
responses
to
victims
in
the
past
have
varied
greatly.
We
express
regret
and
sorrow
for
the
hurt
caused
whenever
the
response
appeared
to
deny
or
minimise
the
pain
that
victims
have
experienced.
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We
will
ensure
that
all
people
in
positions
of
authority
within
the
church
and/or
working
with
children
and
young
people
are
aware
of
the
appropriate
standard
of
conduct
and
boundaries.
We
require
those
who
work
on
behalf
of
the
church
to
indicate
their
agreement
with
this
policy
and
work
towards
providing
an
environment
that
prevents
abuse.
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We
will
establish
a
prevention
strategy
that
includes
screening,
best
practice
recruitment
and
selection
processes,
clear
boundaries,
risk
identification
and
management,
education,
support,
supervision
and
training.
-
We
acknowledge
that,
as a
church,
our
responses
to
victims
in
the
past
have
varied
greatly.
We
express
regret
and
sorrow
for
the
hurt
caused
whenever
the
response
appeared
to
deny
or
minimise
the
pain
that
victims
have
experienced.
-
We
are
committed
to
establishing
a
process
that
strives
for
truth
and
confidentiality.
We
will
ensure
that
a
compassionate
response
is
the
first
priority
in
all
allegations,
even
at a
time
when
it
is
not
yet
certain
that
the
allegations
are
accurate,
through
offering
assistance,
protection
and
care
without
passing
judgement
or
prejudicing
the
rights
of
the
alleged
offender.
We
acknowledge
that
concealing
the
truth
is
contrary
to
the
character
of
God,
unjust
to
victims
and
a
disservice
to
offenders.
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We
are
willing
to
know
the
full
extent
of
the
problem
of
abuse
and
the
causes
of
such
behaviour
within
the
church.
We
will
ensure
that
we
are
aware
of
our
legal
responsibilities
and
obligations
in
relation
to
prevention,
reporting
and
processing
requirements
and
seek
to
meet
them
at
all
times.
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We
understand
and
value
the
need
for
support
to
all
parties
involved
in
the
allegation,
investigation,
determination,
outcome
and
follow-up
stages,
including
the
aggrieved
person
and
the
alleged
offender,
and
we
actively
seek
to
provide
this
support.
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We
acknowledge
that
the
age
of
consent
for
sexual
activity
is
determined
by
legislation.
However,
we
are
mindful
that
this
must
be
read
in
the
light
of
our
duty
of
care,
and
therefore
all
people
in a
position
of
authority
within
the
church,
be
it
real
or
perceived,
paid
or
unpaid,
have
a
duty
of
care
towards
those
over
whom
they
have
authority.
In
this
situation
it
is
never
appropriate
to
take
part
in
sexual
activity
of
any
kind,
regardless
of
the
person’s
age.
We
affirm
that
sexual
behaviour
belongs
in a
marriage
relationship
and
that
in
this
context
it
is a
good
gift
of
God.
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We
commit
ourselves
to
respect
other
people’s
minds,
emotions
and
bodies.
We
are
willing
to
establish
public
criteria
according
to
which
the
community
may
judge
the
resolve
of
the
church
to
address
issues
of
abuse
within
the
church.
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Our
policies
and
processes
are
contained
within
Breaking
the
Silence.
All
allegations
will
be
notified
to
the
appropriate
external
authorities,
overseen
by
the
CPU,
investigated
thoroughly
and
determined
as
described
in
Breaking
the
Silence
Edition
3.
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Irrespective
of
any
other
action
that
may
be
taken,
the
church
reserves
the
right
to
exercise
its
powers
of
discipline
over
adherents,
members
and
office-bearers
according
to
its
Code
of
Discipline,
the
Voluntary
Code
of
Conduct
and
Breaking
the
Silence
wherever
this
action
is
deemed
necessary.
Breaking
the
Silence
applies
to
all
persons
holding
a
position
of
authority
within
the
church
and
all
those
who
are
involved
in a
child-related
activities.
This
includes
those
who
are
paid
and
unpaid,
permanent
or
temporary,
and
all
ministers,
elders,
deaconesses,
licentiates
and
home
missionaries.
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