The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Luke 4:18-1
Reflection and Action from 16 Days of Activism Toolkit
Faith communities have a sacred responsibility to create environments where all people can experience safety, healing, and the fullness of God's love. Too often, however, survivors of violence against women and girls find that churches are unprepared to respond with the care and competence that trauma requires.
Creating truly safe spaces means moving beyond good intentions to develop systematic approaches to prevention, recognition and response. This includes training leadership to recognize signs of abuse, establishing clear protocols for supporting survivors, and building networks with professional services....
In 2012, the Anglican Consultative Council requested all provinces to adopt and implement the Charter for the Safety of People within the Churches of the Anglican Communion. The Charter establishes 5 key commitments:
1. Providing support where there is abuse - Ensuring survivors receive immediate care and ongoing support
2. Implementing effective responses to abuse - Having clear procedures for reporting and responding to disclosures
3. Adopting and promoting standards for the practice of pastoral ministry - Training clergy and lay leaders in trauma-informed care
4. Assessing suitability for ministry - Proper screening and background checks for those in positions of trust
5. Promoting a culture of safety - Creating environments where abuse is prevented and survivors are believed and supported
The Anglican Communion Safeguarding Commission recommends implementing the 8 C's framework:
· Common Principles - Adopt clear safeguarding guidelines and ensure consistent implementation
Coordinate - Work collaboratively between different ministries and leadership levels
· Collaborate - Partner with professional services, law enforcement, and community organizations
· Children - Include and meaningfully involve children in creating safe environments
· Consult - Include survivors' voices and community input in developing policies
· Communicate - Ensure all staff, volunteers, and congregants understand safeguarding principles
· Continuously learn and improve policies based on experience and best practices
· Complaints mechanisms - Establish clear, accessible procedures for reporting concerns