Safeguarding
As a community centered around love of God and neighbour, we want to create a space where everyone is safe and welcome at St Peter's. Our parish safety officers are Toni (04 382 8486) and Michael Toy, who work with our vicars and our vestry wardens to ensure that our safeguarding policy is being followed. Feel free to grab either one of us after a Sunday service, call, email, or arrange a time to meet during the week.
IF YOU ARE CONCERNED
that someone you know is at risk of, or is being abused, or presents a risk to others, please seek advice from our office or a member of clergy.
IF THERE IS IMMEDIATE RISK OF DANGER PLEASE CONTACT THE POLICE ON 111.
Diocesan Video: Sacred Spaces, Safe People: Introduction
Making a Complaint
If you need to make a complaint about an office bearer in the Anglican Church (for example, a priest, deacon, bishop, licensed lay minister, trustee, etc.) or any person you may have encountered at St Peter's on Willis, we encourage you to put it in writing and send it directly to our Diocesan Ministry Standards Team. No complaint is too small.
The Diocesan Ministry Standards Team is led by Archdeacon Julie Rokotakala, and Mr Roger Wigglesworth. You can contact either at safety@anglicanmovement.nz. Julie can be contacted at julie@anglicanmovement.nz or on 021 118 3657. Roger can be contacted at roger@anglicanmovement.nz on 021 541 618.If you are currently experiencing abuse, or have experienced abuse in the past, contact the Team at any time. They will listen to you and will be able to advise and assist. If you suspect abuse, or someone tells you about abuse, you can also contact the Team. Even if you are worried about someone and do not feel able to name them, you can still ring the Team for advice without disclosing personal details.
We also encourage you to report all potentially criminal behaviour to the police, not just to the diocesan team.
What Happens After I Make a Complaint?
In January 2021, the Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia introduced a new set of canons (rules) that describe the standards expected of office bearers in the church along with the complaints process that makes such office bearers accountable. You can read these rules in full here: Title D Canons (scroll down once you get there).
The third Canon (Canon III of the Maintenance of Ministry Standards) describes the way that complaints are received, assessed, determined and made public. All complaints are sent to the Registrar who will determine what happens next. No complaints are to be vetted by any diocesan office bearer. That means that any representative of the church who receives a complaint, is obliged to forward that complaint directly to the Registrar.
Need Help and Support?
Reach out for some help. Our pastoral team at St Peter's on Willis is here for you through this process. If you prefer someone outside St Peter's, talk with someone you trust, see a doctor or counsellor, or call 1737 to speak to a trained counsellor, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Royal Commission on Abuse in Care
From Bishop Justin Duckworth:
“As you may be aware the Royal Commission on Abuse in Care has commenced its work.
I wanted to communicate with you about this important work firstly to ensure we are doing all we can to enable people to connect with the Commission if they have a story they want share about their experiences. Secondly I wanted to be clear about our welcome and support of the work of the Commission.
This Royal Commission is looking into what happened to children, young people and vulnerable adults in care between 1950 and 1999.
The focus of the Commission is on “Abuse in Care” with reference to (1) state-run institutions, (2) faith-based institutions. The extent of (2) includes our care of children, young people and vulnerable adults in our churches, schools, orphanages, elder care homes, and other ministries governed and managed by Anglican entities.
The Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia, including the Diocese of Wellington, welcomes the scrutiny and independence that this enquiry will bring. As a church we actively sought to be included within the scope of the Commission’s enquiry. We are fully committed to engagement with the Commission and its work, and will do all in our power to assist the Commission fulfilling its purposes.
Ultimately, we hope to contribute to a process of accountability, closure, and healing that embraces the core Gospel message that “the truth shall set you free.”
Accordingly, the Diocese of Wellington encourages submissions to be made to the Commission by survivors of abuse.
These are contact details for communicating with the Commission:
Phone: 0800 222 727 (10am – 4pm NZT, Mon-Fri)
(Australia – 1800 875 745)
Email: contact@abuseincare.org.nz
Mail: Royal Commission of Inquiry
PO Box 10071
The Terrace
Wellington 6143
Bishop Justin Duckworth,
Anglican Diocese of Wellington.
Our Commitments
In accordance with our Diocesan Safeguarding Policy our church is committed to:
- Promoting a safer environment and culture.
- Safely recruiting and supporting all those with any responsibility related to children, young people and vulnerable adults within the parish.
- Responding promptly to every safeguarding concern or allegation.
- Responding to those that may pose a present risk to others.
The Vestry will:
- Create a safe and caring place for all.
- Safely recruit, train and support all those with any responsibility for children, young people and adults to have the confidence and skills to recognise and respond to abuse.
- Ensure that there is appropriate insurance cover for all activities involving children and adults undertaken in the name of the parish.
- Display in parish premises and on the parish website the details of who to contact if there are safeguarding concerns or support needs.
- Listen to and take seriously all those who disclose abuse.
- Take steps to protect children and adults when a safeguarding concern of any kind arises, following the diocesan policy's guidance, including notifying the Diocesan Risk Management Officer and statutory agencies immediately.
- Offer support to victims/survivors of abuse regardless of the type of abuse, when or where it occurred.
- Care for and monitor any member of the parish community who may pose a risk to children and adults whilst maintaining appropriate confidentiality and the safety of all parties.
- Ensure that health and safety policy, procedures and risk assessments are in place and that these are reviewed annually.
- Review the implementation of the Safeguarding Policy, Procedures and Practices at least annually.
Each person who works within this community will agree to abide by this policy and the guidelines established by this parish.
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