If you know or suspect that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, call 911 immediately.
Make A Report
If you have experienced sexual abuse by a clergy person, lay leader, or volunteer, we encourage you to make a report directly to local law enforcement and/or child protective services.
If you have experienced or know of someone who has experienced misconduct by a clergy person, lay leader, or volunteer, immediately report such conduct to the appropriate diocesan representative here.
If you have a misconduct claim against a bishop, please submit this form and a provincial representative will respond to you. This is a safe, confidential, and secure means of reporting misconduct.
If you know or suspect that a child or vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or exploited, call 911 immediately.
Sample Protection Policies
Safeguarding is the responsibility of every congregation and diocese in the Anglican Church in North America. The following sample policies are not suggested or required policies, as the Anglican Church in North America does not seek (and does not have the canonical and legal authority) to mandate such systems for each diocese. However, the following sample policies are provided as a resource to dioceses in their safeguarding efforts.
New Revised Sample Policy for the Protection of Children and Adults
Sample Child Protection Policy
Download as a Word document here.
Other sample policies
Sample Policy on Registered Sex Offenders (with thanks to the Diocese of Pittsburgh)
Sample Policy on Sexual and Other Unlawful Harrassment (with thanks to the Diocese of the Mid-Atlantic)
Sample Trainings & Resources
Sample Safeguarding Cycle Training (Including Investigation Procedures)
Tell Someone Reporting Poster (General)
Additional Resources
Ministry Safe: https://ministrysafe.com/acna/
Protect My Ministry: https://www.protectmyministry.com/integrated-partners/partner-acna/
Additional Sample Supervisory Plan (with thanks to Gulf Atlantic Diocese)
Sample Screening & Training Resources
Title I.5.8 – Concerning the Safeguarding Policies
It is the moral duty of the whole Church (the Province, the dioceses, and local congregations and ministries) to see that the flock of Christ is protected from abuse. As a diocese is the primary level at which the means to provide such protection can be implemented, it shall therefore be the duty of the bishop of each diocese, rather than that of the Province, to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures both for children and for adults are adopted and implemented within the congregations, ministries, and structures of the diocese and to monitor and ensure compliance with such policies and procedures. Such policies shall be adopted no later than June 30, 2025, and shall be made publicly available to the members of the diocese.
Title 1.5.9 – Concerning Reports of Misconduct
It is the moral duty of the whole Church (the Province, the dioceses, and local congregations and ministries) to see that those entrusted with leadership are subject to godly discipline as needed. As a diocese is the primary level at which discipline can be exercised, each diocese shall therefore establish processes and procedures to respond to reports of misconduct by clergy and laypersons and to facilitate care of those affected. It shall be the duty of the bishop of each diocese, rather than that of the Province, to ensure that such processes and procedures are implemented within the congregations, ministries, and structures of the dioceses, and to monitor and ensure compliance with such processes and procedures.
In developing such processes and procedures, each diocese shall adopt the following minimum standards by canon or policy on or before December 31, 2025, or else the bishop and Standing Committee of the diocese must certify to the Executive Committee by December 31, 2024, that the diocese has another disciplinary process for receiving and investigating reports that it regards as of at least equal fairness, transparency, and integrity.
1. Each diocese shall appoint at least two Diocesan Reports Receivers to receive reports of misconduct. In no event shall any Chancellor of the Diocese serve as a Diocesan Reports Receiver. Any report received regarding the abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult shall be reported to the appropriate civil authorities consistent with applicable laws and subject to constitutional and statutory exemptions and protections.
2. Subject to subsection 1 above, upon receipt of a report of misconduct by a presbyter or deacon, the Diocesan Reports Receivers shall evaluate the report in a timely manner and shall in their individual capacities recommend to the bishop whether the report discloses reasonable grounds to believe an offense under Title IV has been committed. With the advice of the Standing Committee (or its designated subcommittee), the bishop shall determine whether a report of misconduct involving a presbyter or deacon should be dismissed or if such report should proceed to investigation under subsection 6 below. If a report is dismissed, the reporting party must be promptly notified of such dismissal.
3. Each Diocese shall facilitate provision of pastoral care for those making reports not dismissed under subsection 2, as well as for the clergy who are the subject of such reports.
4. Subject to subsection 1 above, upon receipt of a report of misconduct by a layperson, the Diocesan Reports Receivers shall inform the bishop. The Diocesan Reports Receivers shall also, in consultation with the bishop, inform a Warden and/or the member of the clergy in charge of the congregation such layperson attends or in which the alleged misconduct occurred for the matter to be addressed at the level of the congregation with support, as needed, from the diocese.
5. Subject to subsection 1 above, upon receipt of a report of misconduct by a bishop, the Diocesan Reports Receivers shall refer the report in accordance with Title IV of these canons.
6. Each Diocese shall have a Diocesan Reports Investigation Committee to investigate all reports of misconduct by a presbyter or deacon referred to it under this Canon. Such Diocesan Reports Investigation Committee shall include at least one legally qualified person (meaning a person who has a degree or license in canon law, was or is a judge in Canada, Mexico, or the United States, or has been licensed to practice law for at least 5 years in any part of Canada, Mexico, or the United States).
7. The details of a report and of any subsequent investigation shall be maintained in appropriate confidence until the report is dismissed for lack of reasonable grounds or the Diocesan Reports Investigation Committee takes further action under Title IV.
8. Any diocese may agree in writing with one or more other dioceses to develop and share resources necessary to implement the requirements of this section 9, including Diocesan Reports Receivers, members of Diocesan Reports Investigation Committees, as well as pastoral care, administrative, and financial resources.