What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the action taken to avoid or minimise the potential for abuse to occur in connection with an organisation’s activities. At its core, safeguarding is about promoting the safety and well-being of others, and creating environments that are welcoming, nurturing and safe.

Safeguarding Commitment

The Safeguarding Commitment for the Archdiocese of Brisbane is:

The Archdiocese has zero tolerance for all forms of abuse and strives to safeguard all who interact with its ministries & services.

Special priority is given to the safety & wellbeing of children & adults at risk.

Safeguarding Principles

The following principles guide how safeguarding is undertaken in the Archdiocese:

• • All Archdiocesan personnel, regardless of their position, are responsible for the protection and well-being of others who interact with the Archdiocese. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
  • Archdiocesan personnel will treat everyone who interacts with the Archdiocese with dignity and respect, regardless of their gender, sexuality, abilities, religion, culture or ethnicity.
  • Archdiocesan personnel will prioritise the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and adults at risk who interact with the Archdiocese.
  • Archdiocesan personnel will respond to all abuse risks, concerns, allegations and incidents promptly and effectively conscientiously complying with all Archdiocesan and legal reporting requirements.

Non-compliance with, or breaches of the safeguarding policy and associated standards, legislation, procedures, practices or guidelines may constitute misconduct and result in action up to and including dismissal and/or referral to statutory authorities.

• National Child Safe Principles

  National Child Safe Principles

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  The National Principles reflect ten child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and are the vehicle for giving effect to recommendations relating to the standards. The National Principles have a broader scope that goes beyond child sexual abuse to cover other forms of potential harm to children and young people.

  For more information click here.

• National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

  National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

  Author: Archdiocese of Brisbane

  
  The Archdiocese has formally adopted the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards developed by Catholic Professional Standards Limited. The Standards came into effect in 2019 and are endorsed by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference and Catholic Religious Australia.

  The Standards are drawn from the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and apply to all Archdiocesan ministries, services and agencies.
  Catholic Professional Standards Limited conducts compliance audits against the Standards and publically reports the findings.

  For more information click here.