The Christian Brothers Oceania Province has implemented 98 per cent of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards for children and adults at risk, according to a new audit report published today by Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd.
The Christian Brothers underwent their first safeguarding audit in 2020 and were assessed for their implementation of child-focused safeguarding policies, procedures and practises.
Their second audit was completed between August and November and focused on current safeguarding strategies for the province of 190 Brothers living in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, and with partnerships in East Timor and the Philippines.
ACSL chief executive Ursula Stephens said that the 2024 audit differed from the first in two key respects.
“Since the first audit, the Christian Brothers’ risk profile has reduced because the Trustees of the Christian Brothers no longer have governance over the entities where Brothers minister directly with children,” Dr Stephens said.
“This audit is also different because it has included requirements for adults at risk, as well as children. We have focused on crucial areas like human resource management, complaints handling and safe physical and online environments.”
Dr Stephens said ACSL’s audit team found that the Christian Brothers have a “zero-tolerance policy for abuse” supported by “solid safeguarding infrastructure including a detailed safeguarding and professional integrity policy, code of conduct and safeguarding complaints handling policy”.
She said the audit identified some actions to further “embed safeguarding best practice”, including asking other Church entities to release historical records from when the Christian Brothers had governance over the ministries in these locations.
Br Gerard Brady, Christian Brothers Oceania Province Leader said: ‘We appreciate the work of ACSL in conducting this second independent safeguarding audit, ensuring that the Christian Brothers and our associated ministries continue to be committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of any people who come under our responsibility, especially those most vulnerable.
“‘It is also important that this audit holds us accountable and transparent in the way we, as part of society and Church, go about our work, ministry, and general living. We welcome the report and continue to be committed to support and uphold these key safeguarding standards.”
The full audit report is available on ACSL’s website.
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Second safeguarding audit of Christian Brothers of Oceania Province completed (ACSL)
