The Anglican Church is considering commissioning independent research into the prevalence of domestic violence among its adherents after "outdated" data was used in programs about violence inside the church.
"We confess with deep shame that domestic abuse has occurred among those who attend our churches, and even among some in leadership," the church said in a statement.
It comes after a resolution was passed at its triennial general synod, at which domestic violence was formally condemned and "a heartfelt apology" issued for teaching and pastoral care failings.
The church had already considered independent research and its commitment was strengthened after the ABC aired programs that used irrelevant and "outdated" data about violence inside the church, the statement said.
On Tuesday a resolution was passed requiring clergy and church workers to abide by a code of conduct around protecting children from abuse, which they had previously only needed to treat as recommendations.
Core standards, like not abusing children, had been in place since 2004.
But now all of the guidelines, which covered issues like transport, corporal punishment, touching and photographing children, would be mandatory unless there was "a good reason" for not following them.
Royal Commission Working Group chair Garth Blake said "there's probably at least 200, if not more, sex offenders who attend our parishes".
While the national body can't force all 23 dioceses to adopt the new rules, Mr Blake said he was hopeful there was a "strong commitment" for change.
