As YWAM Perth, we would like to respond to a recent article published about Youth With A Mission in the Observer and the Guardian in the United Kingdom.  

To correct an inaccuracy in the article, the article states that “last year” we “faced scrutiny over [our] handling of alleged historic sexual misconduct.” When contacted by the reporter, we corrected this misstatement prior to publication. We stated that in 2021, a woman shared about an experience she had in 2000. We were deeply grieved to hear about this and responded at the time.

People come to us to grow in their Christian faith and serve others. All our faith-based activities are engaged in on a voluntary basis. It would never be our aim to coerce or control anyone's participation in any aspect of training or service.  

Wherever possible, we work closely with local churches and experienced long-term missionaries with an aim to see a long-term positive impact.

We hold traditional Christian convictions about marriage and sexuality but have recognised that, in the past, some of our methods of encouraging this have lacked grace or sensitivity. We have been truly saddened when people have shared this impacted them negatively. We have received and sought out feedback as we have actively worked to improve and reshape our practices whilst maintaining our convictions. We always seek to hear and respond directly to anyone’s feedback, should they choose to share it with us.

In addition to this, in 2021, we engaged an external agency, KMPG, to undergo an extensive, voluntary audit of our practices, and subsequently strengthened many of our existing policies, procedures and reporting structures. Alongside of this external review we actively sought input from other faith leaders outside our local organisation. We added further feedback channels and strengthened training around mental health and helped ensure greater ease of access to mental health support.

If you have any further questions or comments, please contact us at feedback@ywamperth.org.au or fill out the following form. Thank you.

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