CHILD Harm & Abuse
Introduction
1. Disciples Church is committed to providing a child-safe and child-friendly environment. This policy demonstrates our commitment to taking concerns seriously and outlines how Disciples Church will respond to allegations or disclosures of harm, abuse, or child safety concerns.
2. Abuse is a serious concern, and it is the responsibility of leaders within Disciples Church and all those who work with children and vulnerable people to do everything possible to prevent and/or minimise the risk of abuse.
3. For the purpose of this policy a child is a person under the age of 18 years.
2. Abuse is a serious concern, and it is the responsibility of leaders within Disciples Church and all those who work with children and vulnerable people to do everything possible to prevent and/or minimise the risk of abuse.
3. For the purpose of this policy a child is a person under the age of 18 years.
Complaints and Investigations
4. The process for making a complaint about inappropriate behaviour or abuse is detailed in the Child Safety Reporting and Investigations Policy.
5. The response to such complaints is detailed below.
5. The response to such complaints is detailed below.
Outcomes
6. All outcomes and decisions made must be accurately recorded, including the reasons for the decisions.
7. The Elder Board will determine any decisions as a result of the investigation, including informing the complainant and other interested people, institutions or other agencies.
8. The Board will ensure decisions align with the church’s legal obligations under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, and any other relevant legislation, with the safety and wellbeing of children and young people as the paramount consideration.
9. The standard of proof that shall be applied by the Elder Board when deciding whether a complaint of child abuse has been substantiated is the balance of probabilities. This is not to be a purely mechanical comparison of mathematical probabilities, but a determination that the allegation has been substantiated as a matter of fact. The Elder Board must only be reasonably satisfied that the allegation is made out.
10. The Board will only consider the reinstatement of a person stood down from ministry where an investigation, conducted in accordance with the Child Safety Reporting and Investigations policy, determines they were not at fault, or where other circumstances warrant their return to ministry. In making this decision, the Board will assess the person’s ongoing suitability for ministry, considering any risks identified during or after the investigation, the individual’s ability to uphold the church’s values, and the expectations of their role.
11. Prompt referral to trauma-based counselling should occur if appropriate to ensure that the potential damage to the victim is minimised.
12. There will be an avenue for the accused to discuss the investigation and outcome with the Elder Board. The accused may be entitled to bring a support person or present any evidence they consider appropriate, details of which should be notified to the Board prior to the meeting date. The Elder Board may then decide to revisit its investigation findings
and could decide to implement a modified outcome.
13. Disciples Church may conduct a systemic review or root cause analysis and consider the need to recommend changes as part of its continuous improvement process, including analysis of complaints to identify and address systemic issues.
14. Disciples Church will report adverse findings relating to the harm of children to external authorities, namely the Police or Child Safety Services or other relevant authority (such as the Office of the Public Guardian).
7. The Elder Board will determine any decisions as a result of the investigation, including informing the complainant and other interested people, institutions or other agencies.
8. The Board will ensure decisions align with the church’s legal obligations under the Child Safe Organisations Act 2024, and any other relevant legislation, with the safety and wellbeing of children and young people as the paramount consideration.
9. The standard of proof that shall be applied by the Elder Board when deciding whether a complaint of child abuse has been substantiated is the balance of probabilities. This is not to be a purely mechanical comparison of mathematical probabilities, but a determination that the allegation has been substantiated as a matter of fact. The Elder Board must only be reasonably satisfied that the allegation is made out.
10. The Board will only consider the reinstatement of a person stood down from ministry where an investigation, conducted in accordance with the Child Safety Reporting and Investigations policy, determines they were not at fault, or where other circumstances warrant their return to ministry. In making this decision, the Board will assess the person’s ongoing suitability for ministry, considering any risks identified during or after the investigation, the individual’s ability to uphold the church’s values, and the expectations of their role.
11. Prompt referral to trauma-based counselling should occur if appropriate to ensure that the potential damage to the victim is minimised.
12. There will be an avenue for the accused to discuss the investigation and outcome with the Elder Board. The accused may be entitled to bring a support person or present any evidence they consider appropriate, details of which should be notified to the Board prior to the meeting date. The Elder Board may then decide to revisit its investigation findings
and could decide to implement a modified outcome.
13. Disciples Church may conduct a systemic review or root cause analysis and consider the need to recommend changes as part of its continuous improvement process, including analysis of complaints to identify and address systemic issues.
14. Disciples Church will report adverse findings relating to the harm of children to external authorities, namely the Police or Child Safety Services or other relevant authority (such as the Office of the Public Guardian).
Substantiated Findings Of Abuse And Convicted Offenders
15. Any person involved in a Disciples Church ministry who is the subject of a substantiated complaint of child sexual abuse (on the balance of probabilities), or convicted of an offence relating to child sexual abuse, must be permanently removed from Disciples Church ministry. The Elder Board must take all necessary steps to ensure the person is no
longer able to present themselves as holding any religious authority within Disciples Church.
16. If Disciples Church becomes aware that any person attending any of its services or activities is the subject of a substantiated complaint of child sexual abuse, or has been convicted of an offence relating to child sexual abuse, the Elder Board must:
longer able to present themselves as holding any religious authority within Disciples Church.
16. If Disciples Church becomes aware that any person attending any of its services or activities is the subject of a substantiated complaint of child sexual abuse, or has been convicted of an offence relating to child sexual abuse, the Elder Board must:
- Assess the level of risk posed to children by that perpetrator’s ongoing involvement in the community of Disciples Church; and
- Take appropriate steps to manage that risk, which may include:
- ensuring that adequate supervision of that person is undertaken at all times by members of the Elder Board, the Risk Management Officer (RMO), a Child Safety Coordinator [Coordinator] or Team Leader
- restricting the events and activities the person is allowed to attend
- implementing an ongoing behavioural management program for that person, reviewed regularly
Documentation
17. A complaints register is to be maintained. The RMO shall be responsible for safeguarding the documentation located on the Organisation's site, and only the Coordinator and RMO shall be permitted access to them.
18. The complaints register shall detail all complaints, any supporting documents, information obtained, the action taken and findings.
19. All steps taken in the complaint handling process must be documented including:
(a) receipt of the complaint
(b) contact with the complainant
(c) contact with witnesses
(d) contact with the accused
20. Evidence obtained during the investigation, including witness statements, must be retained. The identity of the author of the record, the reason for their involvement and the date the record was made shall be documented.
18. The complaints register shall detail all complaints, any supporting documents, information obtained, the action taken and findings.
19. All steps taken in the complaint handling process must be documented including:
(a) receipt of the complaint
(b) contact with the complainant
(c) contact with witnesses
(d) contact with the accused
20. Evidence obtained during the investigation, including witness statements, must be retained. The identity of the author of the record, the reason for their involvement and the date the record was made shall be documented.
Follow Up
21. Disciples Church should ensure that victims are supported, even after a complaint is resolved, as the effects of child abuse - especially sexual abuse - are lifelong.
22. This policy was last updated in August 2025.
22. This policy was last updated in August 2025.
Schedule 1
1. Primary policies referenced in this document:
2. Government Standards and Agencies for reporting:
- Code of Conduct
- Child Safety Reporting and Investigations Policy
2. Government Standards and Agencies for reporting: