IN response to concerns expressed by parishioners and people in our wider communities around the reports of sexual abuse [in the Anglican Diocese], the question on people's minds is this: could such atrocities have occurred in our churches? The sad reality is that, at times, people have been harmed and sexually abused by clergy and lay leaders in our diocese.
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The evidence would suggest that, tragically, we have not always responded to victims and their families appropriately. This is why part of my ongoing ministry is to meet with those whose lives have been so severely traumatised by the self-centred and destructive actions of people (generally) in authority.
That said, I can also report that since 1993, we have had protocols in place to address allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct. In 1999, we inaugurated a training regimen to create awareness of child abuse and to develop safe ministry practices when working with children and young people. Shortly after, in 2001, the diocese implemented the Clergy Discipline Ordinance which provided a mechanism for addressing not just child abuse, but all, "disgraceful behaviour", perpetrated by clergy. In 2004, the Professional Standards Ordinance superseded the Clergy Discipline Ordinance. Its aim, inter alia, was to address breaches of the Code of Good Practice for all church workers, including clergy and lay people. In 2009, we systematically revisited our protocols and policies connected with the abuse and mistreatment of those in our care. Subsequently, in 2010, we instituted major changes around how the diocese manages the broad areas of safe church and Professional Standards. We did this with the establishment of the Professional Standards Unit.
That Unit now comprises the Safe Communities Unit and the Office of the Professional Standards Director, and has addressed over 300 matters since June 2010.
You will know that, late in 2015, our diocese along with all other Anglican dioceses in Australia (quite rightly) came under the scrutiny of the Royal Commission. In order to comply with the summons, hundreds of hours were expended by a team of highly skilled people in order to submit the requisite information. Our submission comprised an initial report that included an additional 550 supporting documents (2500 pages in all). We also furnished evidence to the Commission for Case Study 36. This took time and much research.
Dear sisters and brothers, there may be some of you, who, in reading this, will want to report an incident or seek advice. I refer you to our hotline where your enquiry will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately: telephone 1800 070 511. You may also contact me at any time: stuart.robinson@anglicancg.org.au
The Right Reverend Stuart Robinson, Anglican Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn.
