Responding to abuse of children, sexual assault of adults, and domestic and family violence: Final report

Abstract

This report explores how clergy and church workers in the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide understand, experience, and respond to three forms of interpersonal violence and abuse: child abuse, adult sexual assault, and domestic and family violence (DFV). Commissioned by the Diocese and supported by the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the study replicates aspects of an earlier 2005 study to enable comparison over time. Using a mixed methods design, it includes a document review, survey responses from 97 participants, and 10 semi-structured interviews. The research identifies key themes including attitudes to abuse, barriers to reporting, training gaps, and challenges related to power and authority within the church. Findings highlight a range of limitations in existing knowledge and practice, alongside opportunities for building safer and more informed church responses to violence and abuse.