A message from the Archdiocese of Sydney
Child sexual abuse is a crime. The appropriate people to deal with crimes are the police. If you, or anyone you know, have been abused, please contact the police [see below].
Alternatively, you can contact the Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office at (02) 9390 5810 or [email protected]. You may also want to speak to your Parish Priest who will be able to provide support and guidance. The Archdiocese has a legal obligation to report crimes to the police.
If you have a complaint you can contact the NSW Police Child Protection and Sex Crimes Squad through your local police station or Crime Stoppers NSW on 1800 333 000. For all urgent matters regarding a child at imminent risk of significant harm please phone the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 or 000 [open 24 hours/7 days].
More information can be found at www.police.nsw.gov.au or www.pcycnsw.org
Overview of Archdiocese’s Safeguarding Policy (A brief extract)
Introduction
The emotional, physical and spiritual safety, well-being and dignity of Children and Adults at Risk is an integral part of the teachings and values of the Catholic Church. Recognising that all people are made in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:27), the Archdiocese values and welcomes Children and Adults from all backgrounds, believing that Children, Adults, their families and carers should be aware of, and involved in, decisions that affect them.
Commitment Statement
The Archdiocese is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, well-being and dignity of all children and adults at risk, and it acknowledges its important legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to create a safe and nurturing environment for these people. It has zero tolerance for the abuse, mistreatment, bullying or discrimination of and against Children and Adults at Risk. The Archdiocese strives to maintain an organisational culture of respect for Children and Adults and their opinions, rights, safety and well-being.
Copies of the full Overview document are available from the Parish Office or by clicking on the link below
Safeguarding and Child Protection – Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney (sydneycatholic.org)
Code of Conduct for Working with Children and Adults at Risk
The Code of Conduct seeks to raise awareness amongst people working with Children and Adults at Risk in the Archdiocese, about their obligations under child protection legislation, and to assist them to create a safe environment for Children and Adults at Risk who engage with the Catholic Church.
Click below to view the full Archdiocese of Sydney’s “Code of Conduct for Working with Children and Adults at Risk”
Chancery memorandum template (sydneycatholic.org)
Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office
The Safeguarding and Ministerial Integrity Office was established in the Archdiocese of Sydney in November 2015. The role of the Safeguarding Office is to raise awareness regarding our collective responsibility to protect the safety, well-being and dignity of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the Archdiocese of Sydney and to respond swiftly and compassionately in circumstances in which children are harmed, or at risk of being harmed.
To this end, the Safeguarding Office has been developing and delivering training programs on a range of Safeguarding protocols and procedures that work together to protect children from harm.
Safeguarding training
Covers a wide range of themes, including what to do if a child discloses abuse, unexplained injuries, disability and neglect. It provides the skills and knowledge you need in order appropriately report the abuse or neglect.
Induction Training
All volunteers in the following Parish Ministry roles are required to attend/complete Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk, Induction and ongoing Refresher training.
Parish Secretaries
Youth Ministers, Workers or Leaders
Pastoral Associates1
Sacramental Coordinators1
Sacramental Group Leaders1
Catechists in State Schools
Children’s Liturgy Coordinators
Children’s Choir Ministry Leaders
Acolytes and Senior Altar Servers
Eucharistic Ministers
Online Safeguarding Induction Training
To complete the Online Induction Training you will need to first register by clicking on the link below.
https://forms.gle/84BttWwVpneZx7Kq9
Online Safeguarding Refresher Training
It is mandatory within the Archdiocese and a requirement in terms of meeting our obligations
under the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (Standard 7), that every three years Volunteers
complete refresher Safeguarding Training.
Online Safeguarding Refresher Training for volunteers is now available via “Zoom” or “Online”
Volunteers can register for the new Refresher Training via the link below.
The Refresher training is also available via Zoom, dates for the Zoom Refresher Training can be
accessed via the Safeguarding Office’s training timetable. Volunteers will simply need to register their attendance by emailing [email protected]
https://forms.gle/yLB21Ug718Wpnztx9
OLMC will also conduct ‘Face to Face’ induction training for parish volunteer that are unable to complete the ‘Online Induction”.
Dates and times for these sessions will be advertised in the Parish Weekly Bulletin.
Parish Safeguarding Support Officer
What is a PSSO?
A PSSO supports and assists the Parish Priest in fulfilling his role and responsibilities set out in the Archdiocese’s safeguarding and child protection policies and protocols.
The PSSO will assist with making our parish compliant and working with our volunteers and parishioners in providing a greater understanding of safeguarding and what that means for all in our parish community.
The Safeguarding & Ministerial Integrity Office works with PSSO so parishes of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney (CAS) become aware & compliant with NSW legislation.
How do you Contact a PSSO at OLMC?
The parish has several volunteer PSSO’s. For information on who they are and how to contact them please call the Parish office during office hours on (02) 9610 1025.
