A safeguarding advocate from the Parramatta Diocese is in Rome this week to take part in the annual International Safeguarding Conference, which this year focuses on the safety of women. Source: Catholic Outlook.
Ballina Gee, a founding member of the diocese’s safeguarding council, is representing the diocese at the conference, which began at the Pontifical Gregorian University yesterday and continues until tomorrow.
The conference brings together safeguarding specialists, trauma experts and others dedicated to finding solutions and sharing best practices in safeguarding, under the theme, “Women of Faith, Women of Strength”.
This year, the conference will hear not just from religious speakers, but also those from academia and community organisations.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Gee said she was looking forward to hearing about the latest thinking on how to keep women safe from abuse, as well as strengths-based solutions to support survivors.
“I’ve been working with women for over 20 years in advocating for their safeguarding,” Ms Gee said.
“So, I’m excited about this particular conference because it brings together all the experts in the Catholic Church from around the world – religious advocates, practitioners – and we’re going to be sharing best practices and exploring innovation, strategies and what works in different countries.
“That worldwide focus is important. We’re a multicultural country, so hearing what might work in Africa or Canada, in their indigenous communities as well, we can learn from each other and take that knowledge away.”
Ms Gee said Parramatta’s diocesan safeguarding council has, from its inception five years ago, brought together academics, Church representatives, legal and medical experts as well as people who represent survivors of trauma and abuse and those from Indigenous and diverse cultural backgrounds.
“I believe there’s something about the ‘Parramatta Way’ of safeguarding that we can discuss with delegates, sharing the benefits of an inclusive approach and how it has transformed our framework, while also learning from others converging in Rome for this unique conference.”
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Diocese to send safeguarding advocate to Rome conference (By Antony Lawes, Catholic Outlook)
