We have been greatly moved by hearing the experiences of people who have come forward to speak of their abuse within the Anglican Church in this region. We acknowledge their tremendous courage in speaking.
We understand now, and should have understood before, the ongoing impact of the harm that was done to people. We acknowledge that each one was let down as a child and they, and their families, were let down when they came forward to speak of their experience.
We are profoundly sorry that children were not kept safe and that Diocesan authorities failed to respond properly and promptly when survivors and their advocates brought their concerns to the Diocese.
We are profoundly sorry that children were not kept safe and that Diocesan authorities failed to respond properly and promptly when survivors and their advocates brought their concerns to the Diocese.
We accept responsibility to ensure that the voices of children and the voices of survivors will always be heard. We accept responsibility to keep learning about the trauma of abuse and to have a culture that responds with compassion and respect.
We our commitment as the Anglican Church in this region to facing the past and shaping a healthy future. We are committed to having policies and practices that ensure children and vulnerable people are safe.
We encourage people to come forward and speak of their experience to the NSW Police. I encourage people also to make contact with our Survivor Support Service. This service, staffed by highly experienced staff contracted by the Diocese, helps people access the resources they need including the first steps of accessing support and redress from the Diocese.
Bishop Peter Stuart
December 2017
