Safeguarding Children consultant, Dr Michelle Egan-Bitran has worked as a Principal Advisor (Faith) with the Royal Commission of Inquiry on Abuse in State and Faith-based Care. Utilising her experience, expertise and knowledge in this area, Michelle provides an insight into what the future for the Religious Sector should look like following the findings of the Inquiry.
Religious institutions and congregations are in powerful positions of moral authority – they speak of God/s. They have the potential to protect and nurture the spiritual wellbeing of everyone in the community. In addition to congregations, many religions in New Zealand have a long history and continued involvement in the provision of education and social services. They can provide direct support, guidance and instruction and encourage discussion of issues arising in their faiths and society. While religious institutions possess this potential, the Inquiry has shown that there is also a dark, deep history of the misuse of power, moral authority and trust in religious settings.
A key finding of the Royal Commission of Inquiry is that faith-based institutions had higher rates of sexual abuse than state care. Catholic institutions were found to be the highest perpetrators of sexual abuse, along with faith-based schools such as Dilworth in Auckland and Marylands in Christchurch.
The final report puts a spotlight on religious structures, institutional cultures, norms, attitudes and behaviours, including within congregations, schools and social services. It is not a case of a few bad individuals, it is the culture that these individuals operated within that is highlighted as needing change.
Positions of trust, and the use of moral authority and power were often used in the grooming process of children, of their families and wider community. Institutional cultures of denial, secrecy, and self-protection enabled and even supported such abuse with impunity.
This is not an historic issue and is not unique to Aotearoa New Zealand, it is a global issue.
Significant issues within the faith institutional culture and practices are creating barriers to preventing and responding to violence and child abuse. They in fact, can perpetuate abuse. These include clericalism, patriarchy, homophobia, the inadequate formation of religious clergy and workers, the misinterpretation of scriptures and sacred texts to support violence, a lack of transparency in processes, lack of accountability and an attitude of protecting the institution more than the human dignity of each person.
The final report of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry has asked that faiths involved in the Inquiry respond to its findings within two months of it having been released, and then within four months respond to the recommendations. These religions and affiliated entities such as schools and social services must now reflect on redress, how they can support healing and what actions they will take to prevent such abuse from continuing within their communities.
Now is the time for all religious institutions to commit to implementing the recommendations, by developing safeguards and addressing the institutional cultures and practices that have allowed abuse to occur. Safer recruitment, training and support of staff and volunteers are vital, as well as robust child protection policies, procedures and behavioural codes of conduct, along with internal and external monitoring, oversight and accountability.
Are leaders of religious institutions ready to do all they can to prevent abuse and protect those in their care?