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  Church Pledges Culture Change Amid Abuse Report Findings

ABC [Australia]
March 22, 2005

The Anglican church in Adelaide in South Australia has vowed to undertake a culture change following the release of a new report into abuse and violence in the church.

The church commissioned academic Dr Zoe Morrison to research the attitude of its clergy and church workers to the abuse of children and the sexual abuse of adults.

Dr Morrison's report found a culture of hostility towards women was deeply ingrained and ranged from bullying to sexual abuse.

Adelaide Archdeacon Peter Stuart says the church is taking the report's findings seriously and is committed to changing its culture.

"In part what we need to do is to talk to others about what they think the culture of the church should be, so that we can get it right," he said.

For child protection advocate Hetty Johnson, the culture shift is simple.

"We need for the church to be more concerned with its moral integrity than with its bank balance," she said.

The church says education programs aimed at improving the church's response to issues of abuse will be in place before the end of the year.

 
 

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