SAFE ARK ZONE
This is an initiative that has been designed to support the church through having specific procedures set up within the organisation with relation to the safety of children.
Too many stories of unsafe environments for children have surfaced throughout the church today. With this initiative churches will follow strict procedures with respect to those particularly associated with children; such as:
- Mandatory Blue Cards
- Police Checks
- Procedures for the church’s duty of care
- Designated ‘Go To’ personnel not associated with leadership
- Follow up and maintenance procedures
These procedures will enable a safer environment for children and give the church a broader appeal to those outside of the church environment.
Churches who are part of the ‘Safe Ark Zone’ make a firm commitment to the victims for truth, humility, restoration for the victims and their families, assistance to other persons throughout the church body who are effected through the ‘ripple’ affect, a response that is effective to those who have been accused or have been found guilty of child sexual abuse.Whilst the Safe Ark zone is no guarantee of child safety, it goes a long way toward the prevention of child sexual abuse from within the church and provides the community with an added peace of mind stating ‘Your children are Safe Here’
Our aim is to have the majority of churches of all denominations in the SE Qld area and then beyond to become active members of the Safe Ark Zone.
