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Children Abuse and Neglect

In the last 30 years there has been a growing awareness that children are often abused or neglected. A group of Churches has published a study pack on this called Taking Care available from the National Children's Bureau, 8 Wakeley Street, London EC1V 7QE.

The General Synod debated Child Abuse and Neglect in November 1988 and moved:

That this Synod

  1. noting with compassion the increasing reports of child abuse and neglect, but welcoming growing public openness and concern;
  2. aware of the relevance of the Church's ministry of healing to this problem; but
  3. conscious of the complex cultural forces at work and the danger of uninformed action; and
  4. aware of the need for appropriate work with those who have been abused and with those who abuse;
  5. invites Diocesan Social Responsibility Agencies to explore appropriate areas for lay and clergy education, training and involvement, in close association with those statutory and voluntary agencies working in this field.'

In order to safeguard the welfare of the children with whom the Church of England works, the House of Bishops adopted a policy on child protection in 1995, In 1999 a second edition was issues, which incorporates changes as a result of the experience of implementing the policy. This was followed by a third fully revised and updated edition in 2004.This document is entitled Protecting All God's Children (GS Misc 725). All those who are clergy, accredited lay workers and readings, who hold or seek permission to exercise their ministry in the Church of England should be asked by their Bishops (or his representatives) to complete this form. Equally, all volunteers and paid staff who are likely to have opportunities for contact with children should also complete the declaration. The text of the policy also forms an appendix to a paper issued by the Board for Social Responsibility in 1999 entitled Meeting the Challenge: How Churches Should Respond to Sex Offenders.

Further Information and Resources

Child Abuse Training Centre at the National Children's Bureau (address above);

If you are a young person and need help you can ring Childline, tel no 0207 239 1000 any time of the day or night. Calls are free.