Safe Church—a term used by multiple denominations—describes efforts to prevent abuse and exploitation in church-related settings. Within The Episcopal Church, our mandate to safeguard children, youth, and vulnerable adults is inseparable from our obligation to seek and serve Christ in all people and to respect the dignity of every human. For more than two decades, we’ve formalized and emphasized Safe Church, Safe Communities training, which is administered by our dioceses worldwide and our broader Anglican Communion.  

We believe our highest work as a church is to foster and nurture loving communion between human beings and God; among and within people; and between people and the rest of creation. We seek to establish and maintain relationships marked by love, care, and integrity as we partner in God’s good work in the world. Thus, it is crucial that we take special care to prevent the likelihood of abuse or exploitation of any person being served in our churches or organizations—and train those in leadership to identify suspected abuse and report it properly. Christian leadership is intended to provide guidance and grace, and abuse is always and unequivocally wrong.  

Learn more below about the resources, training, and model policies we offer to our dioceses, churches, and organizations as they implement Safe Church programs locally.