Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia Recommits to Child Protection

The Australian Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (AUC) has reaffirmed its full commitment to the Australian National Principles for Child Safe Organizations, recognizing the moral, ethical and biblical mandate to protect children and ensure that the church is a safe, thriving community for all. 

According to regional church leaders, the AUC remains focused on protecting the dignity and well-being of every child and vulnerable adult—a commitment “grounded in the sacred calling of Micah 6:8.” It is not only a legal or organizational duty: “It reflects God’s heart for justice, compassion, and humble leadership.”

“We cannot claim to walk with God while turning a blind eye to harm,” said AUC president Terry Johnson. “Our children deserve a church where safety is not negotiable, where leaders are accountable, and where abuse has no place.” 

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia aims to foster child safety by promoting transparent governance, risk management, education, and the empowerment of children and families, following the 10 national principles. According to church leaders, “while the church has been vigilant on this issue since 2000, this marks a clear step forward in creating a church community where all are safe, heard, and valued.”

On May 28, as Johnson and the AUC Executive Committee signed the Statement of Commitment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organizations, he formally requested all conference presidents, church leaders, executive committees, and church and school boards to sign the Statement of Commitment to the National Principles for Child Safe Organizations, display the signed Statement of Commitment in the foyer or office of churches and schools, and apply and integrate the principles throughout all aspects of church or school activities.

Johnson also asked church leaders to promote a child-safe culture within their church or school and remind persons in board member or child-related roles who have not previously completed their Adsafe requirements to do so. A service of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific Division, Adsafe, Ltd., is a “trauma-informed” service supporting healing and justice pathways for both child and vulnerable adult victims of sexual and/or physical abuse.

On engaging with this process, leaders and board members will need to read and sign the new Code of Conduct. Those who have engaged with the process previously will be prompted to sign the new Code of Conduct at the same time as when their existing Adsafe Awareness training is due for renewal. Adsafe Awareness training is renewable every three years. 

“This is not a box-ticking exercise. It is a spiritual and moral imperative,” Johnson said. “Our faith calls us not only to believe but to act—to create communities where children can flourish without fear.”

“We believe in a thriving church where every child is protected, every voice is heard and every leader is accountable,” said Adsafe general manager Michael Worker. “Now is the time to stand together. For justice. For mercy. For our children.” 

The original version of this story was posted on Adventist Record.