May is Domestic Violence Prevention Month.  

It is fitting to pray for all those impacted by the often-hidden impacts of domestic violence and who suffer in silence due to stigma and shame. In Australia 1 in 4 women and 1 in 14 men had experienced intimate partner violence since the age of 15 (ABS Personal Safety Survey 2021-22).  Their sense of isolation can also be contributed to by our ignorance and not knowing what to say or do. We can pray: 

• For victim-survivors, past and present: May the loving God be their sustainer and protector, may they know their identity in Christ as loved and redeemed and not be defined by acts of violence against them. 

• For those who have used or are using violence: May God bring them understanding of the impact of their behaviour, May God grant godly repentance and the supports needed to change inwardly to foster relationships of love and respect. 

• For those in leadership: to listen well, speak out and raise awareness which leaves no room for violence to be tolerated and supports victim-survivors. To create ministry relationships where both women and men flourish. 

• For those supporting victim-survivors: for compassion to walk alongside those in dark places, to show empathy and care in a way which resists having a ‘rescuer’ mentality. To show Jesus patient and unhurried love.  

• For our churches: to be safe spaces where victim-survivors can disclose and be supported, to promote positive relationship which include women’s voices.

-Vera Buvcevska, CPU Director.

IMPLEMENTING THE CHILD AND YOUTH SAFE STANDARDS

Here are some practical ideas to implement this standard: 

• If your church has a website, consider having a section on ‘child safety and well-being’, provide links to the BTS policy and Code of Conduct so parents and carers know expected behaviours of leaders 

• Have parent info sessions, newsletters, noticeboards or feedback cards where parents/carers can be updated and provided feedback or ask a question. 

• When your church holds family retreats, have a time during the first session where child safety is discussed. 

For assistance in implementing this Standard please refer to the info sheet  below and contact the CPU to discuss your specific needs. 

BTS Rep Info Webinar Recording 

It was fantastic to have BTS reps, elders and ministers attend the BTS rep info sessions.  Overall attendees provided positive feedback and from this we will consider how we can improve future sessions. 

Did you miss the webinar?

Renewed your WWCC/WWVP? Let CPU know!

When you renew your WWCC/WWVP, you need to let CPU know so that we can verify the details.  

Verifying is a legal requirement.  It is the only way we know someone is cleared to work with children and can contact you if a cleared leader becomes barred. 

Use the same online form regardless of whether you are a new worker, volunteer or you have renewed your WWCC/WWVP. 

Click below to go to the form:

Office of the Independent Regulator - Faith-based organisations

The Tasmanian Office of the Independent Regulator (OIR) oversees Tasmanian organisations, including faith-based organisations regarding compliance to the Child and Youth Safe Framework.  

They recently ran a Webinar about the Child and Youth Safe Standards and Universal Principal for Aboriginal Cultural safety. 

OIR will run 2 interactive, scenario-based webinars on Thursday 24 July. 

You can sign up for their newsletter to stay updated on upcoming events and resources here, or access their resources here. 

BTS aligns with the Child and Youth Safe Standards.  An info sheet has been developed to explain how.  You can access the info sheet here.

The updated BTS Website and BTS Online training is coming soon!

We're working on updating the BTS Website to make it more intuitive, and we are also updating the BTS Online training. We hope to have both updated by early - mid term 3 of this year.