ACSL Annual Report 2025 FINAL DIGITAL (spreads) v3 - Flipbook - Page 3
Acknowledgement
of Country
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and
waters on which we live, work, and gather. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and
extend that respect to all First Nations people. We recognise the deep, enduring spiritual and
cultural connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to these lands, waters, and
skies — connections that continue to guide and nurture communities today. May we join together in
a courageous and safer future built on respect, compassion, integrity and reconciliation.
The Path of Healing and Protection
In this beautiful artwork, we tell the story of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd (ACSL) and its
commitment to creating safe spaces for all, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Through a blend of symbols and colours, this piece reflects the journey of healing, spirituality,
and community.
The central element of the artwork is the Gathering Symbol, representing Australian Catholic
Safeguarding as an organisation. This symbol is adorned with a cross, embodying spirituality, faith,
and guidance, which ACSL provides to those in need. Surrounding the central symbol are 12 smaller
Gathering Symbols, symbolising safe spaces. These spaces are built upon strong foundations,
denoted by their solidity and interconnectedness, emphasising the importance of community
and working together. The footprints leading along winding pathways represent the journeys that
individuals have undertaken to overcome trauma. These paths symbolise the support and care
provided by Australian Catholic Safeguarding, guiding them towards healing and restoration.
The Path of
Sprituality and
Protection by
Lani Balzan
The background of the artwork is filled with an array of dots, which symbolise the overshadowing
effects of the past on the lives of survivors of child sexual abuse. These dots acknowledge the
challenges that individuals have faced but also represent the enduring commitment to ensuring
people are protected from abuse in the future. The dots are a lighter colour than the foreground,
symbolising the diminishing influence of the past as we move towards a brighter and safer future.
Overall, this contemporary Aboriginal artwork tells the story of ACSL's mission: to create a culture of
safety, care, and respect within the Catholic Church in Australia, especially for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people. It celebrates inclusion, restorative practice, and the concept of safe spaces
while representing the transformative journey of healing and spirituality.
Acknowledgement of Survivors
We recognise the immense pain and suffering caused by the Church’s failures to protect, believe,
and respond justly to those who courageously came forward — and to those who could not. We
honour the strength and resilience of victims, survivors, their families, and their communities, who
continue to live with the lasting impacts of these failures.
We are committed to listening with humility, learning with open hearts, and acting with integrity
to ensure the mistakes of the past are never repeated. We walk alongside those who have lived
experience of abuse, committed to promoting healing and justice as we continue this journey
together. We are heeding the call of our sacred duty to rebuild a Church that is safe, accountable,
compassionate, and worthy of trust.
AC S L A N N U A L R EP O R T 2025
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