Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.” Matthew 19:14
Thank you for the part you play in helping protect children and vulnerable adults across the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Whether you serve as an employee, volunteer, leader or church member, your care and vigilance matter.
Together, we are called by Christ to help create communities where children and vulnerable adults are safe, valued and respected. Everyone in the Church has a part to play in building a culture of safeguarding.
Our Safeguarding Services Team is here to support Churches and church entities as they strengthen safe practices and respond faithfully to the trust placed in them. We honour that trust through practical action, shared responsibility and compassionate care.
As we pursue our vision of a thriving Church where abuse has no place and healing begins, we invite you to take part in training and access the resources available to support safer churches, schools and ministries.
If you would like guidance, training or advice, we warmly invite you to connect with our Safeguarding Services Team or check out our training schedule. We are here to help you understand your safeguarding responsibilities and support safe, caring environments for children and other vulnerable persons.
Need training?
For more information or to register for an upcoming training event for your organisation please contact our Safeguarding Services Team.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the practical work we do to prevent harm, reduce risk and create environments where children and vulnerable adults are safe, respected and cared for. It includes putting appropriate policies and practices in place, providing training, identifying and managing risks, responding to concerns, listening to those who may be vulnerable, and ensuring people know how and when to speak up.
At its heart, safeguarding is proactive rather than simply reactive. It is often described as building a strong fence at the top of the cliff, rather than relying on an ambulance at the bottom.
Imagine a pathway that runs close to the edge of a steep cliff. We could place an ambulance at the bottom, ready to respond whenever someone falls. That response would be important and compassionate—but it would be far better to ask what could prevent people from falling in the first place.
Safeguarding builds the fence. It means noticing where the risks are, putting sensible protections in place, equipping people to recognise concerns, creating a culture where concerns can be raised, and taking action before harm occurs.
And when someone has been harmed, safeguarding also means responding with care, compassion and appropriate support. Good safeguarding therefore combines prevention, vigilance and compassionate response—all in service of creating places where people can belong, participate and flourish safely.