Creating Safer Communities (CSC)
CSC was established in 2007 to provide services to churches in areas of:
- PREVENTION of harm and abuse (Safe Church and Child Protection) education and policy development
- RESPONSE to abuse and misconduct via our first responder 1800 070 511 Helpline
- RECOVERY from abuse, facilitating redress processes and providing advice on risk management of persons of concern in churches.
ACCESS OUR RESOURCES
ABOUT OUR TEAM
Peter Barnett
Director
Since 2004 Peter has been involved in the areas of prevention of, and response to, abuse and misconduct in Christian organisations.
During the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Peter worked closely with the Australian Christian Churches (ACC) to develop their guidelines and systems for Safer Churches and provided evidence to the Commission to demonstrate the changes implemented by the ACC with SMR’s resources.
Peter’s current roles include the Director of Professional Standards for the Anglican Dioceses of Canberra & Goulburn and Bathurst and also with the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory, Defence Force Anglican Chaplains, International Network of Churches (INC) and the Church Missionary Society (CMS).
Prior to 2004 Peter served as a children’s and worship pastor and primary school teacher.
Josie Barnett
Survivor Process Support & SMR Administration
Josie’s primary role is to assist survivors of clergy and church worker abuse, supporting them as they navigate church processes for redress, including arranging counselling support, preparation of financial redress and arranging direct personal responses.
Josie is also the administration officer for the company and has a background in legal secretarial and education.
Belinda Townsend
Helpline & Training Coordinator
Since 2009 Belinda has presented church-based Safe Church (including Child Protection) face-to-face training, cross-denominationally. Belinda also supports users participating in our eTraining online.
As the Helpline Coordinator Belinda assists churches with their initial response to concerns about abuse and misconduct in the church, including reporting to police and government Child Protection agencies, and providing pastoral and risk management advice. Her role is also to report back to our clients about the calls received on the Helpline, to ensure transparent and accountable practice.
Belinda has a background in early childhood education and training.
Chris Smith
Case Management
Chris joined the CSC in 2023.
He has many years experience in as a State Secretary in his own denomination (ACC) which included implementation of their response to complaints procedures. He is also a qualified supervisor of ministers.
Chris works for CSC in all areas of our ministry, providing face to face Safe Church training across Australia, working on our Helpline and in the Anglican Professional Standards space.
Safe Ministry Resources can also provide customisation services to your organisation for the implementation of the Safe Community Framework.
The Safe Ministry/Community Framework is developed and owned by Safe Ministry Resources Pty Ltd. It is freely available to organisations to use and adapt with permission. Please contact us at [email protected] to seek permission.
Disclaimer: These publications are not legal advice. The ideas and procedures herein are based on nationally recognised good practice advice and have been written with due regard to Australian legislation March 2020. Legal advice may need to be sought when responding to individual incidents.