Guidelines for Child Safety in New Zealand

Guidelines for Child Safety in New Zealand

Definitions for these Guidelines:

“We” means the inclusion of both Workers (members of the Ministry) and Friends (members of this fellowship) who are part of this voluntary fellowship. 

“Child” or “Children” refers to any person or persons under the age of eighteen (18) years. 

“Parent” or “Parental” is meant to be inclusive of both the parents as well as legal or appointed guardians of any children. 

“Abuse” means any sexual contact of any kind with a child under the age of eighteen (18) years, without the child’s consent, or even with consent for a child aged under sixteen (16) years, because under the law of NZ no child under 16 years can give consent to sexual contact. 

‘Sexual contact’ includes sexual intercourse and also any indecent touching, including when the victim indecently touches the offender, following force or encouragement by the offender.

Statement:

As a fellowship we are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children. All children have a right to feel and be safe. We are committed to the safety and well being of all children. We will ensure that a caring and appropriate response is initiated should abuse or suspicion of abuse occur. 

These guidelines are written with a focus on children who come into contact with or are part of our fellowship. 

The testimony of our fellowship is supported and maintained by being open and transparent.

Purpose:

The safety, welfare and well being of children is paramount; we believe children should never experience abuse of any kind. 

• We are committed to conduct ourselves in a way that protects and safeguards children from any possible harm.
• We are committed to support and respect the healing of survivors of abuse within, or who were once part of, the fellowship.
• We have zero tolerance of abuse and will comply with reporting requirements of any suspicion of abuse, on reasonable grounds, to the authorities.
• We encourage reporting by a parent to the authorities of any suspected abuse, on reasonable grounds. Whenever it is appropriate that the gospel worker who has been informed of such abuse should be the one who reports, he/she should do so.
• We will never make any attempt to manage the legal implications of abuse within our fellowship.
• We will fully collaborate with law enforcement authorities in any cases of abuse within our fellowship.

Reporting:

• If a child is at risk or in danger call 111.

• To make a report of concern: Call Ministry of Children on 0508 326 459

We encourage parental responsibility for providing education and boundaries to maintain child safety. We will respect any boundaries parents have in place. We encourage open conversation and education in families around child safety.

We expect members of our fellowship to keep children safe.

These guidelines are to be shared with all persons over the age of 16 years within our fellowship.

Any person under legal investigation, or convicted of an offence against a child, will not be permitted to attend any activity in our fellowship that provides access to children, nor any activity in our fellowship where known survivors of abuse are present.

We support a ministry that is itinerant and relies on the support of the fellowship to enable the Gospel to be shared.

All Workers and Elders have a responsibility to be aware of and support all aspects of a child-safe environment.

All Gospel Workers will undertake the following:

• Complete child-safe training every 2 years.
• Adhere to these Guidelines and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.
• Ensure they are respectful of and acknowledge the rights of children, at all times.

Governance:

We will ensure biennial review of these Guidelines or as required.

All Workers will, before commencing in the Gospel work be provided with these Guidelines and the Gospel Workers’ Code of Conduct.

Gospel Workers from overseas visiting New Zealand will be provided with a copy of these Guidelines and the Workers’ Code of Conduct.

Developed and endorsed for New Zealand October 2023.