ACSL Annual Report 2025 FINAL DIGITAL (spreads) v3 - Flipbook - Page 7
Throughout 2025, ACSL strengthened its approach by:
y Embedding survivor centred practice across professional
standards and complaints response services
y Encouraging entities to adopt trauma informed frameworks
and reflective practice
y Aligning national safeguarding efforts with the broader
Church’s commitment to healing and justice, as promoted
by Pope Leo XIV and the Annual Report of the Pontifical
Commission for the Protection of Minors.
Insights from survivor experiences also informed several
audit recommendations across dioceses, including increased
professional supervision and enhanced pastoral support
for clergy.
ACSL will continue to elevate survivor voices as a primary
driver of cultural change.
Strengthening Systems and Infrastructure
for the Next Decade
The National Safeguarding Data Project and the National
Complaints Management System roll outs remain central to
ACSL’s strategy to strengthen national consistency, data quality,
and transparency in ministry formation and accreditation.
Our staff travelled extensively during the year, supporting
local parishes, congregations and communities to strengthen
safeguarding cultures, risk management, audits, training, and
policy frameworks. This whole of Church partnership remains
essential to building a truly national safeguarding ecosystem.
We continue to leverage our cross sector collaboration to
strengthen Australia’s safeguarding landscape.
Looking Ahead: Our Pathway to 2030
Our work in 2025 reflects a Church continuing its
transformation—steadily strengthening safeguarding
awareness, practice, and culture. ACSL’s achievements this
year are the result of the support and engagement of our
Board, and the dedication of our staff, subscribers, Catholic
partners, and safeguarding practitioners nationwide.
As we move into the next phase of ACSL’s journey, we
remain guided by a clear vision: a Church that is safe,
accountable, compassionate and worthy of trust. Together, we
continue shaping a future defined not by past failures, but by
courageous leadership, humility, and the shared commitment
to ensure abuse is never repeated.
Dr Ursula Stephens
ACSL CEO
As we enter the next strategic period, ACSL aims to expand
the functionality, accessibility, and interoperability of
these systems, ensuring they continue to serve as national
infrastructure for safe ministry.
Partnering for National and Region-wide Impact
With more than 150 Church Authorities and Catholic
organisations supporting ACSL we continued in 2025 to work
collaboratively with dioceses, religious institutes, MPJPs and
other Catholic entities across Australia and within the region.
We are engaged with our Member groups and a growing
number of newsletter subscribers, with over 2800 receiving
our regular e-newsletters.
Our experience and expertise are valued by regulators
and government bodies including the Child Safe
Leaders Group in the National Office of Child Safety.
We collaborate with our regional counterparts in
New Zealand, sharing resources and expertise.
Ursula and the pilgrimage group
visiting Trinity College.
To learn more about
the pilgrimage go to:
https://tinyurl.com/2025-Pilgrimage
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