Persons of Concern
A Person of Concern is a person whose presence constitutes a risk of sexual abuse to people in the parish and may include one or more of the following:
- a person who has pleaded guilty to, has been convicted of, or has admitted to having committed, a sexual criminal offence; or
- a person who is currently charged with a sexual criminal offence; or
- a person who has been disciplined or had other action taken against them under a disciplinary or professional standards process of the Church because of Sexual Misconduct, or who has been refused ordination, employment or appointment in the Church because of an adverse risk assessment arising from Sexual Misconduct; or
- a person against whom allegations of Sexual Misconduct are currently being dealt with under a disciplinary or professional standards process of the Church; or
- a person who has been disciplined by an organisation other than the Anglican Church of Australia for Sexual Misconduct; or
- a person who, as a result of Sexual Misconduct, has received an adverse risk assessment from a professional with appropriate qualifications and experience in accordance with the requirements of another church or a statutory authority; or
- a person who has received or is receiving treatment for disordered sexual behaviour.
The ‘Policy for Safe Ministry in a parish where there is a risk of sexual abuse by a Person of Concern’Β can be found here.
This Policy replaces the Diocesan βProtocol for Safe Ministry with Persons of Concernβ issued in November 2016. It is based on the General Synod βPolicy for Safe Ministry in a parish where there is a risk of sexual abuse by a Person of Concernβ, issued in June 2017.
This policy seeks to help ensure the safety of adults and children where a Person of Concern is currently participating or wishes to participate in the life of a parish. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matt 22:39) β and such love includes keeping people safe; and includes helping persons of concern grow in Christ.
