Complaints and allegations are managed through various processes including:

• The National Redress Scheme Homepage | National Redress Scheme
• The National Response Protocol National-Response-Protocol-Version-2.pdf (acsltd.org.au)
• Integrity in our Common Mission Integrity-in-our-Common-Mission-November-2023.pdf (acsltd.org.au)
• Civil litigation

The Catholic Church in Australia and the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide acknowledge with great sorrow the hurt caused by the past abuse of children within the Church and the lifelong impact of this abuse upon victims, survivors, and their families. The Church also deeply regrets past failures to believe and support children and to respond appropriately with a protective focus.  In this spirit, the Integrity and Professional Standards Team is committed to the provision of a just, respectful, and compassionate response to victims and survivors of historical abuse and, importantly, to the prevention of such situations from ever reoccurring in the future.

The Records Service which also sits within the Integrity and Professional Standards team manages applications from former residents of Catholic Institutions (or their lineal descendants), seeking access to their records. This important role within the team assists former residents and their families to access valuable and sometimes sensitive information about their personal histories and stories. Our staff appreciate the sensitivities associated with this work and are committed to providing a response that is thorough, compassionate, and supportive. This service is also extended to supporting the Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.

“The crimes of sexual abuse offend Our Lord, cause physical, psychological and spiritual damage to the victims and harm the community of the faithful,” - Pope Francis May 2019