The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service, an unofficial body working with churches across the denominations, has published new guidance and urged Christian communities to "raise the bar" in their protection work.
The move comes in the wake of horrific revelations of what were widespread and systematic cases of abuse in Catholic communities in Ireland.
Campaigners say that although the circumstances and persons involved in Ireland were specific, churches across Britain and Ireland - and other civic organisations and agencies - have an absolute obligation to ensure that child abuse is tackled and stamped out.
They point out that there has been neglect, misunderstanding and inadequacy in the churches' response in the past. But this has been changing - not least since the publication of the ecumenical 'Time To Tell' document in 2001.
The Church of England is still facing accusations and legal action over a past abuse incident in one of its care homes.
In April 2009 the BBC revealed that nine girls who were heavily drugged in Kendall House in Kent have gone on to have children with birth defects.
Teresa Cooper, one of the women involved, has accused the Church of conducting a cover up - a claim the Church strongly denies. The BBC argues that evidence points in the contrary direction. The dispute is ongoing.
The new 'Key Facts' booklet has been produced by the CCPAS group to help church leaders and workers to deal with suspected or alleged abuse and to keep in step with evolving child protection legislation.
The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service sets out and summarises ten ‘Safeguarding Standards’ for places of worship and other organisations.
Among the recommendations made by the CCPAS are the implementation of a formal safeguarding policy, staff training in child protection and the adoption of a formal recruitment policy for paid and voluntary workers.
CCPAS founder David Pearson said that child protection guidance had become much more detailed in the last few years in light of a number of high-profile abuse scandals.
“This demands a lot of places of worship - hence the need for simplification and help, which is why we are publishing Key Facts at this time,” Pearon said.
He continued: “We would urge churches not to be downhearted in the light of all this complexity. What is important is that everyone involved with child protection aims as high as they possibly can in order to ensure that the children in their care are as safe as possible. Key Facts will, we hope, play an important role in achieving this.”
The Church of England and other denominations now have child protection advisers at all levels and follow strong statutory advise on protection, action, monitoring and reporting.
The release of the guidance - which will be especially useful for non-denominational and independent churches - comes just weeks after Ireland’s Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse issued a harrowing report exposing decades of abuse at institutions run by the Catholic order of Christian Brothers.
Key Facts is being distributed free across churches and organisations in the statutory and voluntary sectors, says CCPAS.
It follows on from the launch of a new online manual, ‘Safe and Secure’, as well as a 60
minute ‘Safe and Secure drama documentary. The DVD is sponsored by the Department for Children, Schools and Families and has been made available in eight languages. It aims particularly at places of worship where English is not the first language.
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