Safety at NewHope
A Safe Organisation
NewHope is committed to being a safe organisation. We will exercise our duty of care to every child and every adult on every occasion.
We have put in place robust policies, procedures and training to facilitate our commitment to be a safe organisation. You can read our Safe Organisation policy here. This framework is being constantly improved with input from various government bodies, the Baptist Union of Victoria and other service providers. We have a Safe Organisation Concerns team (SOC) who oversee this ongoing work.
Our Baptist Family.
On 15 December 2017 the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse presented a final report to the Governor General, detailing the culmination of a five year inquiry into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and related matters. Our Baptist Family welcomes the release of the final report and will be reviewing the Commission’s findings and recommendations and considering how our Union can best respond in keeping with our ongoing commitment to a strong culture of safety for children and other vulnerable people across all our churches and agencies.
Historic Sexual Abuse.
We recognise that every story of violence and harm against a survivor is unique and will demand of us all a unique response. We believe it is important for people to tell their story and to be heard. We believe that a journey of healing is possible when wrongs are acknowledged, when survivors are recognised and when their courage is honoured. The principles that will govern our response to historic sexual abuse are as follows:
- we will act with compassion
- we will engage with a nonjudgemental attitude and a commitment to active listening
- we will serve the survivor’s safety and the safety of others as a first priority
- we will report to the appropriate authorities
- we will seek advice from our Baptist Union and other professionals as required
- we will learn from every person’s story
- we will focus on healing for all and provide pastoral care
- we will bring the resources of our faith to serve the process
- we are here to support and help you on your journey
Privacy at NewHope
NewHope is committed to protecting people’s privacy in accordance with the 13 Australian Privacy Principles (APPs). We have policy that sets out how we will collect, use, store, disclose and deidentify your personal information. You can read the policy here.
Work Health & Safety
We want our staff to be safe and we want our buildings and meeting spaces to be safe for all. We comply with Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety act and Regulations.
If you see something that is ‘not right’ please let us know by contacting the Risk Team at riskteam@newhope.net.au
Pastoral Care & Support
We welcome the opportunity to support one another on our journeys of healing. We do all we can as an organisation to avoid accidents and harm, but pain and hurt comes to all our lives. We believe that communities of hope can offer healing and hope.
You can contact a pastor at NewHope by using the I need care button blow.
NewHope is committed to being more than a safe organisation – we are committed to a journey of healing in each other’s lives and to flourishing together. We are committed to a world full of HOPE.
National Redress Scheme
NewHope Baptist Church is a participating church through the Baptist Union of Victoria in the National Redress Scheme.