Building a Culture of Trust and Protection in Our Church Community
In a world where the sanctity of trust is often challenged and the need for safe spaces is more urgent than ever, the role of the Adsafe ministry within our church community stands as a beacon. Quietly and steadily, Adsafe works in partnership with leaders, pastors, members, school principals and entity leaders to ensure that our churches, schools and workplaces are communities of safety, trust and healing for all, including both children and vulnerable adults.
Recent years have seen painful reckonings and courageous commitments across various Australian and New Zealand institutions, as well as within our own church community.
Adsafe has become a vital ministry, steadily influencing attitudes and practices in its dedication to safeguarding all, especially the most vulnerable among us—whether children, youth, or vulnerable adults—following Jesus’ call to “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”(Matthew 19:14).
The Story at the Heart of Our Ministry
Let’s begin with a story—a composite one but drawn from the real experiences of many. Imagine a young person, new to church life, whose confidence gradually grows as they find friends, mentors and a sense of wellbeing within the community. Now imagine if, through carelessness or neglect, that safe space was compromised. For that individual and their family, the hurt could be lasting.
Consider, too, the young person searching for belonging and encouragement within our schools; when trust is broken, the resulting pain can be both deep and lasting. Adsafe stands as a compassionate shield to prevent these heartbreaking stories from unfolding. And when harm does occur, Adsafe is there—steadfast and caring—to advocate, support and gently guide survivors on their journey toward healing and hope.
At its core, Adsafe is not just a set of procedures or a team behind a desk. It is a ministry of people—dedicated, compassionate and sometimes quietly heroic—whose daily work is to ensure that the promises we make as a Church about safety, dignity and respect are more than words, and that these promises extend to every individual, regardless of age or circumstance.
The Statement of Commitment: Turning Words into Action
Earlier this year, the AUC Executive Committee and church leaders together signed the Statement of Commitment. This wasn’t just a symbolic gesture; it was an intentional and public affirmation that safety is not optional, nor is it ever “done”. By signing the statement, our leaders recommitted to the continual safeguarding of children, youth, vulnerable adults and all who are part of our church family.
But this promise is not theirs alone. By affirming the Statement of Commitment, we share in the ongoing responsibility to ensure our communities are not only safe, but healing. Every member of our church community has a part to play in building cultures of protection, respect and accountability.
A promise gains significance through action, and Adsafe is continuing its work to support the implementation of protective practices throughout our Church organisation. Policies are being updated, training is being deepened, and perhaps most importantly, culture is being shaped. The conversation about protection is no longer confined to crisis moments—it is becoming part of our everyday language, a living commitment to the welfare of both the youngest and the most vulnerable adults in our care.
How Does Adsafe Serve Your Church? Helping You Build a Safer, More Caring Community
For many, the name “Adsafe” may evoke only a vague sense of protection, but the ministry’s work is broad and vital. Adsafe undertakes several crucial roles:
- Training and Education: Every year, thousands of staff, volunteers and church members participate in Adsafe-led training sessions. These sessions equip individuals to recognise signs of harm, understand reporting processes and develop a culture of proactive care.
- Responding to Concerns: Adsafe maintains confidential channels for reporting any concern, suspicion or disclosure of physical or sexual abuse or harm. Each report is taken seriously and followed up with professionalism and compassion.
- Policy Development: Adsafe collaborates with church, school and entity leaders and legal professionals to ensure that safeguarding policies meet or exceed current best practices and adapts them as new challenges arise.
- Support for Survivors: Beyond prevention, Adsafe provides case management support and helps connect survivors to specialised counselling—always centring on survivor choice, dignity and safety—and supports them in finding pathways to healing and restoration.
- Investigations: When concerns arise, trained specialists conduct thorough and sensitive investigations, ensuring fairness, confidentiality, privacy and the wellbeing of all involved.
- Risk Management: Adsafe proactively reviews incidents and trends, identifies potential vulnerabilities, and works with leaders to implement safeguards to minimise risk in church, entity and school environments.
- Fellowship Agreements with Persons of Concern: Adsafe develops and monitors agreements that allow individuals who may pose a risk to participate in aspects of church life within clear, protective boundaries.
Stories of Change and Hope
Stories bring statistics to life. Consider the story of “Sarah” (name changed), who, after experiencing harm many years ago, finally felt safe enough to come forward after Adsafe’s awareness initiatives were rolled out in her local church. Through a carefully guided process, Sarah received support, validation and concrete help—transforming what once was a silent burden into an opportunity for healing.
Or the story of local church leaders who attended an Adsafe workshop and subsequently identified and addressed gaps in their safety protocols. This initiative resulted in improved care and safety measures at Pathfinder camps and youth activities, empowering leaders to confidently fulfil their ministry responsibilities. These are the stories that may never make headlines but represent quiet, profound victories in the life of our organisation.
These stories are not isolated. In fact, direct feedback from survivors—ranging in age from 18 to 72—reveals the transformative impact that a supportive, attentive church community can offer.
The following quotes, shared by survivors with varying backgrounds and experiences, offer a glimpse into what meaningful support looks like in practice:
- “Knowing someone believes me has made me confident to come forward with my story in my church community.”
- “I feel much less alone knowing that I have your support.”
- “Your support has made a material difference to my life and that of my children.”
- “For the first time in my life I have been able to process and record my experiences.”
- “Funded counselling has meant that I can finally start to process my abuse for the first time in my life.”
Each voice underscores that healing is not the result of policy alone, but of people listening, believing and standing with those who have been harmed.
By the Numbers: Measuring Our Progress
While accolades are not a motivation for Adsafe, transparency and accountability are key values. During the past 12 months:
- More than 4100 church volunteers and staff participated in new or updated child protection training sessions.
- Over 250 concerns or incidents were reported and followed up with care, including investigations when required.
- More than 70 survivors have been supported, connecting them, and often their dependents, with counselling and pastoral support, assisting them on their journey of healing.
These numbers don’t represent a problem solved; rather, they remind us that the need for vigilance and compassion is ongoing. Behind each statistic is a life, a family, a faith journey.
Looking Forward: An Ongoing Conversation
The work of protection is never finished. New risks emerge, new insights are gained, and the needs and expectations of our community evolve. “As we look to the future, Adsafe is committed to continuing the conversation”, says Pastor Michael Worker, general manager for Adsafe. “We must continue listening to survivors, making space for feedback and equipping every church leader, member and employee to be guardians of safety and trust.”
He continues: “As we move forward, it’s fitting to pause and recognise Australia’s national Child Protection Week (September 7 to 14). This year’s theme, “Every conversation matters: Shifting Conversation to Action,” reminds us that real safeguarding requires more than good intentions—it calls for ongoing dialogue that leads to practical steps.
“For our church, our schools and all our institutions, this theme invites us to foster environments where open conversations about safety are encouraged, and where these discussions translate into tangible action to protect every child and vulnerable adult. Child Protection Week urges us to consider how our words can inspire meaningful change, shaping our policies and everyday practices so that dignity and safety are upheld for everyone in each of our communities,” Pastor Worker concluded.
How You Can Be Part of the Ministry
At the heart of the Adsafe ministry is a collective calling: safeguarding is not the work of a few, but the shared responsibility of every person in our church community—from the pulpit to the pew. Each of us plays a vital role in building a culture where children and vulnerable adults are protected, respected and cherished. It is together, through our prayerful words and compassionate actions, that we shape environments in which healing and recovery can truly flourish.
We are invited to move beyond passive concern, to actively foster safe and supportive spaces—places where trust is rebuilt and every person feels seen, heard and valued. Our vigilance and care are acts of faith, woven into the everyday fabric of church life, demonstrating that protecting the vulnerable is a sacred trust shared by all.
With trauma-informed care at the forefront, we are guided by love for those who have experienced abuse and hope for a future where healing begins. Each compassionate conversation and every small act of listening forms part of a healing tapestry within our Church. By standing as guardians for one another, we ensure that no pain is dismissed, and each voice is valued.
Our role is not just to react but to proactively prevent, support and restore; to acknowledge wounds and help bind them with humility, patience and empathy.
A Ministry of Hope
At its heart, Adsafe is an expression of the gospel—a ministry where love and fairness walk hand in hand, where every individual is cherished, and where the safety of the vulnerable is embraced as a sacred calling within our Church. Together, we create a haven of belonging and kindness, echoing the words of Micah 6:8: to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. In this spirit, every act of protection becomes a promise, and every gesture of care helps light the path to renewal, reminding us all that in serving the least among us, we honour Christ Himself (Matthew 25:40).
“As we reflect on our affirmation of the Statement of Commitment, may we each find ways to nurture a culture of safety, so that every story written in our church is one of trust, healing and hope,” says Pastor Worker.
Let us walk forward together towards a thriving Church where abuse has no place and healing begins.
If you would like to contact Adsafe to talk to one of our survivor support team members or to discuss safeguarding support there are a variety of ways to reach us:
Phone:
AU 1800 220 468
NZ 0800 442 458
Our office hours are: (Sydney time-zone)
8:30 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Thursday
8:30 am – 12:30 pm, Friday
Email: info@adsafe.org.au
