Safeguarding
St John's Anglican Church believes that we have a responsibility to ensure that every person who engages with us in our church, ministries, and community activities is protected, valued, and treated with dignity.
This includes establishing clear safeguarding policies, promoting safe ministry practices, and providing training for clergy, staff, and volunteers to recognise and respond to concerns.
We acknowledge that abuse has occurred within the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, and they lament their failings.
Safeguarding is understood as a core expression of the church's commitment to pastoral care, ethical leadership, and the well-being of all who participate in its life and mission.
COMPLAINT PROCESS
Do you need help and support now?
Please reach out for help if you need support right now. Talk with someone you trust, see a doctor or counsellor, or text or call 1737 for free to speak with a trained counsellor, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Have you someone else experienced a criminal action?
-
Phone 111
-
people are injured or in danger; or
-
there is a serious, immediate, or imminent risk to life or property; or
-
a crime is being or has just been committed and the offenders are still at the scene or have just left.
-
-
Otherwise, phone 105 or go online to www.police.govt.nz/105support
-
Have you experienced historical abuse?
Please contact the Ministry Standards Commission (see below) and see Support in Responding to Abuse
MINISTRY STANDARDS COMMISSION
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia expects very high standards of behaviour from all its ministers and authorised leaders. A list of ministry standards applies to everyone in licensed Anglican ministry, and to non-licensed office holders, including:
-
Ordained ministers (priests, deacons, bishops)
-
Licensed lay ministers
-
Licensed volunteer leaders
-
Trustees
-
Elected leaders (vestry, synod, committee, board members) who have signed a declaration
-
Licensed youth leaders
-
Licensed children’s workers
A complaint can be made about the actions of any person (past or present) who is licensed to offer ministry or leadership in the Anglican Church or who leads activities or institutions run by the Anglican Church. Complaints are taken seriously. The complaint process is detailed below, including various ways of making a complaint.
If you have experienced misconduct, regardless of how long ago, we encourage you to make a complaint so that the matter can be investigated.
MISCONDUCT FROM OTHER INDIVIDUALS
Misconduct from anyone other than an ordained minister, licensed person, or office holder should be discussed with your:
-
Your local priest or vicar
-
Your Parish Safeguarding Contact - Clare Hilder (email here)
-
Your local archdeacon
-
Diocesan staff (see list here)
Please follow up with any information you pass on to these individuals. Ask:
-
What do you plan to do with the information I give you?
-
When will this be done?
-
When will we next talk about this matter?
If you are unsatisfied with the response you receive, please escalate the matter.
Contact the Police if criminal behaviour occurred.