LOVE COMES TO LIFE when we treat each other with courtesy and respect, and when the way we behave towards each other reflects the way God loves us.

Child Safety Standards video released next week!

In last month’s eNews we informed you that further webinars were being planned to assist congregations, as they work through the Child Safety Standards for the first time. We also said that the next webinar was scheduled for next Wednesday 25 May 2022.

After further reflection, and following the technical issues experienced during the live streamed webinar in March this year, Child Protection Project Officer Mary-Ann Carver and the team have decided to pre-record the video presentation.

The focus will be on your congregation’s Child Safety Standards Self-Assessment.

The video will be available :- 

Wednesday 25 May 2022
at 5:30 pm AWST / 7:00 pm ACST / 7:30 pm AEST
on the Child Safety Standards web page

As there is no live event, there is no need to complete any registration details.

We might not be live streaming this time but there will still be plenty of opportunities for questions to be answered, following the presentation.
Afterwards please email through your questions to Mary-Ann, to your District Professional Standards Officer or to the Professional Standards Manager, Tim Ross.

We intend to provide another video presentation in August, which will focus on the Child Safety Plan in more depth.

A recording of the March webinar is available now, on the Child Safety Standards web page

There are new criminal laws in South Australia, which are effective from 1 June 2022.

The new section 64A of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 covers failure to report suspected child sexual abuse.  It requires that a ‘prescribed person’ must report to the police if they know of, or suspect, that another person (while employed within an institution) has sexually abused a child. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for three years, for failure to do so.

The new section 65 of the Criminal Law Consolidation Act covers failure to protect a child from sexual abuse. It requires that a ‘prescribed person’ in a position of authority must not fail to protect a child where they know there is substantial risk that another person (employed by an institution) will sexually abuse a child. The maximum penalty is imprisonment for 15 years, for negligently failing to remove or reduce risk to the child.

For the purposes of these laws any pastor, employee or volunteer in the church (living and working in South Australia) will fit under the term ‘prescribed person’.

Brisbane teacher charged with more than 100 child exploitation offences

It has been revealed, in court, that a teacher at a Brisbane private school is facing more than 100 charges of child exploitation offences.

Read more
 

WORKSHOPS

Safe Church Level 1
Safe Church Level 1 Refresher
Safe Church Level 2

If you are unable to travel to a workshop, Level 1 and Level 2 training is also available online

We are busy helping Mary-Ann Carver to prepare this month’s video presentation on the Child Safety Standards for Congregations.

Please remember to watch it on the Child Safety Standards web page when it becomes available next Wednesday 25 May.

We’ll look forward to hearing your feedback!

Your Professional Standards Officers

Questions|Concerns|Feedback

Your local Professional Standards Officers are here to support you.

PSD webpage shortcuts

• Homepage and PSO contact details    www.lca.org.au/psd
• Training    www.lca.org.au/safechurchtraining
• Frequently Asked Questions    www.lca.org.au/psd-faqs
• Resources, including for Safe Church Coordinators    www.lca.org.au/psd-sp3
• LCA Standards of Ethical Behaviour    www.lca.org.au/seb