Within the context of a pastoral relationship, the burden of responsibility for appropriate and helpful behaviour rests on the church worker, ordained or lay. People who come to a church worker for help are particularly vulnerable to abuse of power and trust. Within a pastoral relationship, it is always a breach of professional ethics for overt sexual activity or sexually suggestive behaviour to take place, no matter who initiates it and no matter how willing the participants say they are.

Sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by a church worker may also be a breach of the criminal law. Whether or not there has been a breach of the criminal law, if the ethics of a ministry relationship are breached, the church must respond.

Church workers are accountable for all their relationships whether directly related to their role in ministry or not. Always, the church worker's relationships must reflect the integrity between the church's relationship with all people and its witness to the Gospel.

In all instances of sexual abuse the church must respond with a concern for justice and for the healing of those affected by it.

The Adelaide Diocese has established an ordinance and protocol which outlines principles for the establishment and operations of a Professional Standards Committee and Director.

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