General Synod/Te Hīnota Whānui has accepted guidelines to make churches safer places, especially for abuse survivors, youth, children and vulnerable people.

Rev Jo Crosse (Waiapu) presented the Safety Policy Guidelines in motion 10.

The guidelines cover theological grounding for safe church practice, the values and rights church members should be able to expect, and directions for developing local policies under employment, health and safety legislations, as well as church canons governing behaviour.

“Rather than offering rules and regulations, we hope these guidelines will encourage churches to develop their own policies.” she said.

“Church awareness of these issues has gone up, but a broader culture change takes training and education.

“Despite some very good new health and safety guidelines, we need to also cater to spiritual health.

“If we treat these issues as important, survivors will know they are loved.”

Rev Jacynthia Murphy supported the motion, adding that the guidelines comply with the Anglican Consultative Council’s move to establish a Safe Church Commission to encourage provinces to take a proactive stance to prevent abuse and offer support for survivors.