Safeguarding Children, Young People, and Vulnerable Adults

 The Eparchy is committed to the safety, wellbeing, and welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults who are members of the Syro-Malabar Church community, and the wider community who associates directly or indirectly with the Eparchy for care and support. We uphold children’s right to be safe, valued, and cared for. As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Australia has a responsibility to protect children, provide the services necessary for them to develop and achieve positive outcomes, and enable them to participate in the wider community, which includes the Eparchy’s parishes/Missions.

Safeguarding refers to the range of plans and activities that are put in place to protect children and adults who may be vulnerable to abuse and neglect from being exploited or harmed.

Safeguarding in the church community – making our churches safe for children, young people and vulnerable adults – is everyone’s responsibility. The diocesan safeguarding team provide professional advice and training to parishes to ensure they can meet that responsibility, as well as support those who may have suffered abuse or exploitation in a church setting. Everyone involved in church life should know what to do in situations where a child, young person or vulnerable adult may have been harmed. Each parish or benefice should have in place a safeguarding person who knows how to respond and where to seek further help and advice. Anyone who wishes to report abuse or exploitation needs to know that they can do so and receive the support they need.