Code of Conduct for SA and NT Gospel Workers

Overview

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, honesty and fairness. As overseers and Gospel workers, we carry a responsibility to nurture and protect the lives and hearts of those with whom we walk, especially children and young people. We are committed to creating an environment that is not only safe but also supportive, where every child and young person feels equally valued and cared for.

We as the ministry can support the safety, protection and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable persons by recognising they have the right to feel safe at all times. We also recognise child abuse has ongoing impacts, and that for some survivors the sharing of their story can be an important part of healing.

This Code of Conduct reflects our dedication to these principles, outlining clear expectations on how we should conduct ourselves in all interactions. It serves as practical guidance, helping us understand and maintain appropriate boundaries essential to fostering trust and safeguarding the wellbeing of all, including our youngest members.

This Code of Conduct applies to all members of the South Australian (SA) and Northern Territory (NT) ministry, as well as visiting members of the ministry while they are in SA or NT.

I will therefore:

Adhere to this Code of Conduct at all times.
Take all reasonable steps to protect children and young people from abuse, harm and risk of harm.
Raise concerns if I identify any risks to the safety of a child or young person.
Act on/report any concerns or observed breaches of this Code of Conduct.
Ask for help if I am uncertain about child safety or this Code of Conduct, or if I believe I have breached this Code.
Participate in ministry recommended training including training on child safety and wellbeing.
Report any conflict of interest, bias or partiality I have that may affect my ability to perform my role.
Inform parents or guardians if there are situations that need to be safely managed but are outside the scope of my role or the boundaries of this Code of Conduct. For example, when I know a family is unwittingly inviting an alleged offender to go on a family trip with them.
Listen and respond to children and young people with respect and dignity.
Take disclosures of harm or abuse made by a child or young person seriously.
Value the ideas and opinions of children and young people, involve them in decisions that affect them, and give them a voice. For example, having a suggestion box at conventions that children can use.
Be a positive role model to children and follow guidelines provided in this document relating to physical contact
and psychological safety.

I will not:

Condone or participate in any illegal, unsafe, abusive or harmful behaviour towards children. This includes sexual
abuse and misconduct, physical violence, emotional and psychological abuse, grooming, and neglect.
Rely on my position or my reputation and that of the fellowship to protect me.

I will:

Treat all children and young people equally and with respect.
Be transparent in my actions and whereabouts in relation to contact with children.
Apply the “Rule of Two”. ie. When I am with a child or young person, at least one other adult will be present.
Exemptions may be made to this by special arrangement with parents/caregivers when I am acting in the role of a family member rather than a Gospel Worker.
Confirm parents know and support the above boundary and have educated their children about it.
Wear publicly appropriate clothes in common areas during visits with families.
Respect a child’s boundaries and physical space.

My Behaviour :

I will not:

Engage in the grooming of children and/or families and communities, including developing ‘special’ relationships with specific children, displaying favouritism through the provision of gifts or unsuitable attention in person or online.
Develop inappropriate or sexual relationships, or indulge in any form of sexual contact with children.
Use language that is inappropriate, offensive, harassing, abusive, or sexually suggestive or provocative when speaking around children and young people.
Use any computer, mobile phone, video, camera or other electronic device to exploit or harass children.
Hit or physically assault children, including physical or verbal punishment. I will leave the disciplining of children to their parents/caregivers.
Do things for children of a personal nature that they or their parents/caregiver can do. Eg assisting with toileting.
Spend time alone with a child or young person out of view of other adults.
Invite any child to enter a bedroom where I am staying alone or in the company of my co-worker. If they do enter, I will gently usher them out.
Engage in behaviour or communication that causes children to feel uncomfortable, afraid or disempowered.

Handshakes, pats on the shoulder or back and shoulder-to-shoulder hugs.
Holding hands while walking with small children.
Sitting beside small children.
Encouraging children to respect personal spaces, i.e. knock on doors before entering.
Having discussions one-on-one with older children in publicly accessible areas.
Going for a bike ride with a young person in a public area where other adults are present.

Some examples of appropriate and/or acceptable behaviour:

Developing intimate or special relationships with children.
Advising children to keep communications or interactions secret.
Lifting or placing a child on my lap without the consent of the child, or the consent of the parent/caregiver if the child
is unable to give consent. Also, lifting or placing a child on my lap without a parent/caregiver being present.
Wrestling, tickling, piggy-back rides or massaging.
Remarks that relate to sexual attractiveness or development.
Showing physical or verbal displays of affection in isolated areas such as bedrooms, bathrooms, private areas of the
home or cars.
Sharing a bedroom or any other sleeping quarters at any location with a child or young person.
Inappropriate or lengthy hugs or any kisses on the mouth.
Touching buttocks, genital areas, chest, knees, thighs or legs.

Some examples of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviour:

Camping environment
Convention grounds
Swimming areas
Sporting events
A Gospel worker staying with families without a co-worker

Some examples of environments where additional caution should be used:

These lists are not exhaustive and do not cover every instance of inappropriate and/or unacceptable behaviour.

Respond with compassion and care.
Do all I can to make them feel heard and supported, including telling them that I believe them and will do all I can
to help them.
Carefully record what they say, and any other factual concerns and observations.
Follow the SA/NT Reporting Procedure.

I will :

If a child or young person approaches me to disclose any abuse, harm or risk of harm, or if anyone discloses to me any historic abuse or harm,

Special Note on Handling Disclosure

Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm.
Dismiss, exaggerate or trivialise a child’s concerns or discourage disclosure.
Minimise or cover up a suspicion or allegation of abuse and/or harm.
Make promises to them I cannot keep. For example, if a child or young person asks me to keep matters confidential, I will advise them that I will do everything I can to help keep them safe.
Conduct my own investigation of a suspicion or allegation of abuse of a child by questioning a child or any other individuals involved. Rather, I will leave the matter to professional investigators.

I will not :

A breach of this Code of Conduct may be classified as either a non-reportable offence or a reportable offence:

Breaches of this Code of Conduct

Non-reportable offence: An unintentional, unwise one-off behaviour that is unbecoming of a Gospel worker. If the
breach is clearly a non-reportable offence, I will raise the matter with the Gospel worker concerned and point out
the relevant best-practice guidelines contained in this Code of Conduct.
Reportable offence: Intentional illegal behaviour, or a pattern of grooming behaviour. If the breach is a reportable
offence I will follow the Reporting Procedure.

The difficulty with deciding whether a behaviour is non-reportable or reportable is in determining intent, as well as identifying a pattern that may or may not be observed by any one person but by multiple people over time. If I am in any doubt, or if I have raised the matter with the person before and there has been no change, I will follow the SA/NT Reporting Steps. In all cases if I believe a child or young person is at risk, I will follow the SA/NT Reporting Steps without delay.

How do I distinguish between the two?

SA/NT Reporting Steps

I will:

Promptly take action to prioritise the best interests of the child or young person and ensure they are safe.
Phone the Police on 000 if I believe a child or young person is in immediate danger.
Comply with mandatory reporting requirements:
3a. Mandatory reporters in SA include ministers of religion and anyone in appointed (including voluntary) roles. It is mandatory in SA to make a report if the child is under 18 and if there is reasonable grounds to suspect that a child or young person is or may be at risk of harm. Mandatory reporting is through the Child Abuse Report Line (CARL) on 13 14 78.
3b. In the NT, every adult (aged 18 and over) is legally required to report if they have a reasonable belief that a child under 18 has been, or is at risk of being, harmed or exploited. This broad obligation applies to all individuals, not just specific professions. Mandatory reporting is to Territory Families Central Intake Team on 1800 700 250.
Complete an Incident Report and forward it to a SA/NT Safety Person. If the incident is on a Convention Property, I will follow the Convention Reporting Process.
Respect the privacy of the child or young person and their family by keeping all personal information confidential, unless disclosure is required to support the safety of a child or young person.

Rest assured - anyone who reports abuse is protected from civil, criminal or disciplinary proceedings, unless the information was given in bad faith.

What happens if I get it wrong when I report child abuse?

Breaches of this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action including, but not limited to:

A warning or reprimand;
Additional training on child safety;
Being asked to stand down from the ministry;
Being asked to not attend any meetings;
Reports being made to legal authorities where appropriate.

This Code of Conduct has been updated in line with current Australian laws, Royal Commission recommendations for both Australia & New Zealand, as well as Australian Child Safe Standards. Consideration has also been given to clarity, training requirements, internal & external reporting standards and potential breaches.

This Code of Conduct has been reviewed by ChildSafe Australia.