Safeguarding in Our Churches

"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..." ACNA Canon I.5.8 (ratified June 2024)

If you know or suspect a minor or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, please 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 a misconduct claim against a priest or deacon, please contact the bishop, chancellor, or standing committee of the priest or deacon’s diocese. You can find a list of contact information for each diocese here.

If you have a misconduct claim against a bishop, please email misconduct@anglicanchurch.net and a provincial representative will be in touch with you. This is a safe, confidential, and secure inbox to contact.

If you know or suspect a minor or vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, please 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.