Safe Child Policy
Guidelines
For Safe Ministry With Children And Youth
Introduction
September 2006
The Worship Center Church Elders
recently approved a Safe Child Policy that was developed by the ChildrenÕs
Ministry over the last year. The CM put this policy together after reviewing
recommendations from Stacy Lagasse and Carolyn Page, similar policies adopted
by other area churches, school policies and policies used by other youth
organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. A copy of the Safe Child
Policy can be found in the church office.
We hope this information will get
you acquainted with the provisions of our new Safe Child Policy and help you
understand and embrace the goals and duties this policy sets forth for those
who volunteer or work with our churchÕs children and youth.
Why Do We Need a
Safe Child Policy?
Child abuse can take many forms. It
can be physical, emotional or sexual in nature. It occurs far more often than
any of us expect. Although we would all like to believe "it canÕt happen
here," we see from the experience of other churches that it can happen
just about anywhere. When abuse occurs, the consequences are devastating to
individuals and the church body. We know we must take steps to educate our
congregation about abuse and to prevent abuse. The Safe Child Policy is our
effort to make our church a safer sanctuary for our children, and to protect
our church as a whole. Although such a policy cannot completely prevent child
abuse or exploitation, it can greatly reduce the risk for children, youth,
staff, volunteers and the church as a whole.
What is a Safe Child
Policy?
A Safe Child Policy is a plan to
develop policies for recruiting, screening and hiring staff and volunteers who
work with children and youth. It is also a set of policies or guidelines that
staff and volunteers working with our children must implement in their
activities with children and youth. Lastly, it is a plan for responding to a
reported or suspected case of child abuse or sexual misconduct.
What is Included In
Our Safe Child Policy?
The policy adopted by our Church
Council has four separate sections.
(1) The first is a Statement of
Policy. This section recites the policyÕs purpose, discusses those affected
by the policy and provides a general description of the behavior the policy is
meant to address. It promises that church leaders, employees and volunteers
working with youth will be educated on the policyÕs provisions.
(2) The second section is Definitions. It
explicitly defines the parties governed by this policy and the conduct
prohibited by this policy.
(3) The third section, Basic Guidelines for
Safe Ministry With Children and Youth, contains the practices the church
will use in its youth ministry activities. The guidelines describe specific
things those working with our children and youth should strive to do during
youth ministry and childrenÕs activities. These are the most important things
to be familiar with if you plan to volunteer or work with our children and
youth in church sponsored activities.
These guidelines are not intended
to take every step imaginable to prevent child abuse or sexual exploitation.
Nor is every available screening tool going to be used to qualify volunteers
for participating in our youth ministry. The goal was to adopt reasonable steps
that are practical to implement and will minimize the opportunity for
prohibited conduct to occur. These are written to be guidelines, not strict
rules. It is specifically stated there are situations where strict adherence
will not always be possible or practical, but that it is church policy to
follow them when it is reasonably possible to do so.
(4) The final section is Reporting
and Complaint Response Procedures. This section contains the process
devised to report and respond to any case of suspected abuse or inappropriate
behavior by an individual working with youth ministry.
It is important to note Sunday
school teachers, youth group leaders, chaperones and volunteers all have a duty
to report any complaints they become aware of that allege emotional abuse,
physical abuse, sexual misconduct or other inappropriate behavior by a person
working with our children and youth ministry or activities. Such reports are
made to the senior minister or to a member of the church moderator team.
Reports of misconduct will first be
referred to the senior minister for initial follow-up. The senior minister will
outline three possible responses that may be elected by the complainant. The
first is to pursue a direct resolution with the party accused of misconduct.
The second is to pursue an informal resolution with the party accused of
misconduct through dialogue facilitated by the senior minister. The third is to
pursue a formal resolution through the church moderator team after submitting a
written complaint and allowing an investigation to ensue. The Safe Child Policy
outlines the steps to be taken in this formal process, from the submission of
the written complaint, to the investigation and through the disposition of the
complaint through the moderator teamÕs assessment and action.
Complaints involving the senior
ministerÕs activities will be referred to the the Elders for handling.
Internally, The Worship Center can decide whether it wishes to dismiss or
maintain the employment of a senior minister so accused, or to suspend the
senior minister until The Worship Center completes its investigation.
It is important to note that our
policy does require the senior minister to report complaints involving certain
kinds of abuse to either civil or law enforcement authorities, as required by
state (or federal) law.
Conclusion
The adoption of the Safe Child
Policy is meant to make clear the intent of our church to provide a safe and
nurturing environment for our children and youth, as well as to create an
environment of hospitality, respect and equality within the church as a whole.
We must all be aware of the impact
of our words and actions on the well-being of our children and others. We must
take care to appropriately minister to our youth, and make sure that everyone
finds our church a safe sanctuary to experience GodÕs love and kinship to
Christ.
If you have any questions, comments
or concerns, feel free to contact the Senior Minister, Mark Santostefano.
Statement of Policy
A. Youth Protection
The Worship Center is committed to
creating a safe and healthy environment in which young people can learn about
and experience GodÕs love. In order to ensure this, it is the policy of this
church to provide adequate supervision for all youth activities. We also expect
all employees or volunteers who work with minors to complete and submit an
appropriate disclosure and/or acknowledgement form for the role the employee or
volunteer will have within our youth activity programs.
B. Ministerial Conduct
All persons engaged in the ministry
of The Worship Center, including elected or appointed leaders, employees,
volunteers and authorized ministers, are responsible for knowing the possible
impact of their words and actions in ministering to the emotional, mental, and
spiritual needs of persons who come to them for help or over whom they have any
kind of authority.
Because ministers, including
elected or appointed leaders, employees, volunteers and authorized ministers,
often deal with individuals who are emotionally and psychologically fragile or
otherwise personally vulnerable, it is imperative that those engaged in the
ministry of this church maintain their own psychological, emotional and
spiritual health, and that they have adequate preparation and education for
helping those individuals they seek to serve in the ministry. It is the heart of
The Worship Center to encourage its leaders, authorized ministers, employees
and volunteers to nurture safety within ministerial relationships by being
attentive to self-care, education and the importance of referring those in need
to supportive and helpful resources. It is also expected that those engaged in
providing ministry will complete and submit an appropriate disclosure and/or
acknowledgment form for the role in our youth ministry each individual will
fulfill.
C. Prohibition of
Sexual Misconduct, Abuse and Other Discrimination
The Worship Center is committed to
creating and maintaining a worship and work community in which members,
friends, staff and volunteers can work together in an atmosphere free of all
forms of discrimination, harassment, abuse, exploitation or intimidation. This
church affirms its responsibility for creating an environment of hospitality
for all persons, male or female, adult or child, that is free of sexual
misconduct, free of physical and emotional abuse, and that encourages respect,
equality, equity and kinship to Christ. We support equity among all persons
regardless of ethnicity, situation, age or gender.
Specifically, all persons associated
with The Worship Center should be aware that the church is strongly opposed to
sexual exploitation and harassment, and that such behavior is prohibited by
church policy. It is the intention and responsibility of the church to take the
action needed to prevent and correct behavior that is contrary to this policy
and, if necessary, to discipline any person who violates this policy. Sexual
harassment or sexual exploitation the congregation or other individuals by
anyone engaged in the ministry of The Worship Center is unethical and
unprofessional behavior, and will not be tolerated within this congregation.
D. Review and
Education
This policy was drafted, reviewed
and approved by the ChildrenÕs Ministry. The Elders also reviewed and approved
adoption of this policy.
The ChildrenÕs Ministry will
conduct periodic reviews of this policy and make any changes it deems
appropriate as a result of its review. The Elders approval will be obtained
before implementing any changes the ChildrenÕs Ministry makes to this policy in
the future.
This church commits itself to
educating all church leaders, employees and volunteers who work with minors in
our youth programs on the provisions of our Safe Child Policy so they are aware
of their responsibilities within the framework of this policy, the rationale
behind the development of this policy and the applicable guidelines to be
followed in ministry. A copy of this policy will be available for review in the
Church office.
Definitions
Minister: A person engaged by the church
to carry out its ministry. ÒMinisterÓ includes elected or appointed leaders of
the church, employees and volunteers, as well as Òauthorized ministersÓ.
Authorized Minister: A person who holds ordained
ministerial standing or has been commissioned or licensed by The Worship
Center.
Ministerial Relationship: The relationship between one
who carries out the ministry of the church and the one being served by that
ministry.
Emotional Abuse: Involves verbal or non-verbal
violence toward a child that gives the child the message that the child is Òno
goodÓ and never will be. It includes using harsh, abusive language meant to
revile, malign or hurt the one it is directed at.
Physical Abuse: Involves physical violence
toward a child, including any type of physical aggression directed at a child
in anger, including corporal punishment.
Sexual Misconduct: Includes Òsexual exploitationÓ
and Òsexual harassmentÓ as defined in this policy. It occurs when a person
within a Òministerial relationshipÓ engages in sexual contact or sexualized
behavior with a congregant, client, employee, student, staff member or
volunteer.
Sexual Exploitation: Sexual activity or contact (not
limited to sexual intercourse) in which a minister engaged in the work of the
church takes advantage of the vulnerability of a participant by causing or
allowing the participant to engage in sexual behavior with the minister.
Sexual Harassment: Repeated or coercive sexual
advances toward another person contrary to his/her wishes. It includes behavior
directed at and about a personÕs sexuality or sexual orientation with the
intent of intimidating, humiliating or harassing the other person, or
subjecting the person to public discrimination. Unwelcome sexual advances,
requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual
nature constitute Òsexual harassmentÓ when:
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submission
to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or
condition or circumstance of instruction, employment or participation in any
church activity; |
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submission
to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for
evaluation in making personnel or church-related decisions affecting an
individual; or |
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such
conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an
individualÕs performance or participation in church activities or creating an
intimidating, hostile or offensive work or church environment. |
Prohibited Òsexual harassmentÓ
includes unsolicited and unwelcome contact that has sexual overtones,
particularly:
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written
contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene letters, notes or
invitations; |
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verbal
contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs,
epithets, jokes about gender-specific traits or sexual orientation, or sexual
propositions; |
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physical
contact, such as intentional touching, pinching, brushing against anotherÕs
body, impeding or blocking movement, assault or coercing sexual intercourse,
and |
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visual
contact, such as glaring or staring at anotherÕs body, gesturing, displaying
sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons, posters or magazines. |
ÒSexual harassmentÓ also
includes continuing to express sexual interest after being informed directly
that the interest is unwelcome – and using sexual behavior to control,
influence or affect the career, salary, work, learning or worship environment
of another.
It is impermissible to suggest,
threaten or imply that a failure to accept a request for a date or sexual
intimacy will affect a personÕs job prospects, church leadership or comfortable
participation in the life of the church. For example, it is forbidden either to
imply or actually withhold support for an appointment, promotion or change of
assignment; to suggest that a poor performance report will be given because a
person has declined a personal proposition; or to hint that benefits, such as
promotions, favorable performance evaluations, favorable assigned duties or
shifts, recommendations or reclassifications, will be forthcoming in exchange
for sexual favors.
Basic Guidelines
The following guidelines are
important to our commitment to prevent abuse of our youth.
They are to be followed when
reasonably possible. Strict adherence to these guidelines is not always
possible or practical so it is important to note these are guidelines
only. These guidelines are not listed in order of importance.
1. The ÒTwo AdultÓ Policy: This policy suggests that no fewer than two
adults be present at all times during any church-sponsored program, event or
ministry involving children and youth. However, it is expressly
understood that Sunday school classrooms will not always be staffed with two
unrelated adults. When classrooms are not staffed with two unrelated adults, a
ÒroamerÓ will be used who will move in and out of the classrooms during the
program, event or ministry.
2. ÒWindows and DoorsÓ Policy: There will be windows in the classroom doors
where child or youth ministry occurs, or doors will be left open to accommodate
open access to the rooms where child or youth ministry occurs.
3. The ÒFive Years OlderÓ Policy: It is desired that all workers or
volunteers with youth be at least five years older than the youth or children
they are leading. If there is a young adult or another youth who wishes
to volunteer with child or youth ministry who is less than five years older
than the age of the youth in ministry, such volunteers will be paired with an
adult leader who is at least five years older than the age of the ministered
youth whenever possible.
4. The ÒThree MonthÓ Policy: No volunteer may be accepted to work with
youth until that volunteer has been an active participant in our congregation
for at least three months before volunteering to work with children.
5. First Aid/CPR Training: All workers and volunteers who work with
youth will be encouraged to obtain training in basic CPR and first aid.
The church will provide all workers and volunteers with information on where
such training may be obtained. However, the church will not pay the costs of
such training unless advance approval is obtained from the senior minister or
the board that will provide the funds for such training.
6. Alcohol, Drugs and
Tobacco: Alcohol,
recreational drug and tobacco use are prohibited on any church-sponsored
program, event or ministry involving youth or children.
7. Seatbelts: Seatbelts will be worn by all participants,
but especially by youth and children, during any church-sponsored event that
requires transportation in a car.
8. DriverÕs License and
Insurance: Workers and
volunteers that agree to transport youth or children on any church-sponsored
event must have a valid driverÕs license in order to drive any youth or child
on the church-sponsored event. In addition, workers and volunteers should
not transport youth or children in a vehicle unless they have liability
insurance on the vehicle they are using to transport the youth or children. Whenever
possible, drivers should be adults over the age of 21. However, it is
understood drivers under the age of 21 may be used from time to time,
especially if the event is a day trip within a reasonably short distance of the
church.
9. Emergency Contact Card: Children and youth participating in
church-sponsored events or activities outside the church premises are expected
to provide emergency contact cards from parents or guardians that contain
information on who to contact for the child or youth participants in the event
of an emergency. These contact cards will also contain a general grant of
permission for the child or youth to participate in the event or activity, and
authorize supervising adults to seek emergency medical care if necessary. The
primary goal is to inform parents, guardians and hosts that emergency contact
information should be made available to those supervising youth events.
10. Orientation and
Acknowledgment: Each year
the church will offer an orientation for all full-time or part-time workers and
volunteers who work with youth and children. The orientation will include a
review of the churchÕs Safe Child Policy and the guidelines The Worship Center
strives to use in all its youth and childrenÕs ministries.
Procedures for reporting and investigating incidents or complaints regarding
inappropriate behavior, misconduct or alleged violations of the Safe Child
Policy will also be reviewed.
All leaders, workers and volunteers
in youth and childrenÕs ministries shall provide a signed acknowledgment form
indicating they have reviewed the churchÕs Safe Child Policy, are familiar with
its provisions and goals, and agree to give their best effort to the ministry
and to adhering to the guidelines established by the Safe Child Policy. (see
form at end of this policy)
Reporting & Complaint Response Procedures
I. REPORTING
Complaints alleging emotional
abuse, physical abuse, sexual misconduct or any other inappropriate behavior
that violates the Safe Child Policy should be reported to the senior minister
or to the Elders.
All complaints, except those
involving the activity of the senior minister, will be referred to the senior
minister for initial handling.
If the complaint involves the
activity of the senior minister, the complaint should be referred to the Elders
for initial handling. The Elders will immediately refer such a complaint to local
authorities for handling. The Elders will cooperate fully in any process
conducted by the The Worship Center related to the senior ministerÕs ministerial
authorization, but it retains the right to employ or designate its ministerial
leadership, interim or otherwise, within The Worship Center as it determines is
best during the handling of any complaint involving conduct of its senior
minister.
In certain cases, as required by
state or federal law, the senior minister must comply with mandatory reporting
requirements and report certain types of abuse allegations to the appropriate
county department of human services and/or local law enforcement agencies.
II. RESPONSE
PROCEDURES
A. Senior MinisterÕs Initial
Contacts
Upon receipt of a
complaint, the senior minister will promptly contact the complainant to discuss
the options available to address the complaint. A copy of the Safe Child Policy
will be provided to the complainant at this time. The parents or guardians of
any minors involved will be notified so they can assist in choosing the
appropriate response option and participate in the response process.
B. Response Options
1. Direct Resolution
The complainant may choose to
attempt resolution by making direct contact with the person whose conduct the
complaint involves.
2. Informal Process –
Meeting With Senior Minister
The complainant may choose to have
the senior minister attempt resolution of the matter. The senior minister will
offer to meet with the accused party, either individually or jointly with the
complainant, to bring the issue raised to the accused partyÕs attention, and to
resolve the issue to the mutual satisfaction of all involved.
3. Formal
Process – Written Complaint with Investigation
This option involves the following
steps.
(a) Written Complaint
This option is initiated by the
complainant filing a written complaint describing the incident(s) giving rise
to the complaint and identifying the person whose conduct the complaint
involves.
The senior minister will explain to
complainants electing this option that the privacy of all individuals involved
will be maintained to the greatest extent possible, but that absolute
confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. Information will be shared only as needed
to properly investigate the complaint and decide upon an appropriate course of
action.
The written complaint will be
referred to the three-member moderator team for review and further action.
A moderator may choose to abstain
from further participation if a conflict, real or perceived, exists that
renders the moderator incapable of impartiality. The two remaining moderators
can elect to proceed or to choose a 3rd person to replace the
abstaining moderator.
(b) Investigation
(1) Investigative Team
Appointed: The moderator
team will promptly appoint a two person investigative team, comprised of one
member of each gender, to conduct an investigation of the complaint.
It will be within the moderator
teamÕs discretion to decide whether the accused partyÕs volunteer service
continues, be restricted or completely suspended during the investigation. If
the accused party is a church employee, the pastor-parish committee will decide
whether the employeeÕs service will continue, be restricted or suspended during
the investigation, or terminated.
(2) Investigation Conducted: The two person investigative team will meet
separately with the complainant and the accused party to gather statements and
information about the facts and circumstances surrounding the events or
activities that involved the alleged misconduct. A parent or guardian of any
minor involved shall be present unless they choose not to be.
It may also be necessary for the
team to meet with others who were present at the activity or event involved to
gather pertinent information about the facts and circumstances surrounding the
allegations in the complaint.
(3) Investigative Team Report: No more than thirty (30) days after
appointment, the two member investigative team will prepare a report to submit
to the moderator team. This report should include the following information:
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A summary of the
steps taken in the investigation. |
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A restatement of
the nature of the complaint made and a summary of the information obtained
from the complainant during the interview process. |
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A statement of
the response to the complaint and a summary of the information obtained from
the accused party during the interview process. |
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A summary of
information obtained from other parties in the investigation. |
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A recommendation
for action. |
Both the complainant and the
accused will be given the opportunity to review the investigative teamÕs
summary of their respective interviews. Each will be asked to sign a statement
indicating the investigative teamÕs summary of their respective interview is a
fair representation of the facts as that person reported them.
(c) Moderator Team Action: The three person moderator team will review
the investigative teamÕs report and decide on an appropriate course of action.
The moderator team may direct the investigative team to gather additional
information if the moderator team believes it is necessary to make a proper
determination.
The moderator team will order one
of the following actions. If the complaint involves the alleged misconduct of a
church employee, the moderator team will consult with the pastor-parish
committee to decide on the appropriate course of action.
(1) No Action Recommended: This order is appropriate when the
investigation reflects no inappropriate conduct took place, or when the
complaint has been resolved through some other means.
(2) Private
Discussion/Reprimand: This
order is appropriate when the investigation reflects the complaint involved
miscommunication or misunderstanding between the parties more than anything
else, and is appropriate when education on sensitivity may be all that is
needed to resolve the issue.
(3) Dismissal/Removal: This order is appropriate when the
investigation suggests inappropriate conduct violating church policy was
engaged in, whether knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally,
and where it is determined it is best to remove the person complained of from
their position of contact with the churchÕs youth and children.
The adjudication of the moderator
team and/or pastor-parish committee will be put in writing and should include
an explanation of its findings.
The moderator team will choose at
least two of its members to meet with the complainant to review and explain its
findings and its decision.
III. RECORD KEEPING
A. The senior
minister shall keep a log of all complaints made, and should include notes that
indicate the response options the complainants elected and the outcome of the
response options elected.
B. If a formal written complaint
was submitted, a full record of the proceedings conducted to investigate and
dispose of the complaint must be maintained. The record should include:
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A copy of the
written complaint. |
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The materials
gathered and produced by the investigative team. |
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The moderator
teamÕs or pastor-parish committeeÕs written decision regarding the course of
action taken to dispose of the complaint. |
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A summary of the
final meeting held with the complainant. |
C. Records of all complaints and
proceedings must be kept a minimum of seven (7) years following final
disposition, or, if the complainant is a minor at the time of the event, until
the complainant reaches the age of forty-five (45).
D. Access to these records will be
limited to the Elders and senior minister. These records may also be disclosed
to cooperate in an investigation conducted by the The Worship Center, law
enforcement officials, the county department of human services, the churchÕs
insurer or the churchÕs legal counsel.
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Safe Child Policy - Acknowledgment Form
I, ______________________________________,
have reviewed The Worship CenterÕs
Safe Child Policy, I am familiar with its provisions and goals, and
agree to give my best effort to the ministry and to adhering to the guidelines
established by the Safe Child Policy.
_________________________________________
Signature Date
______Volunteer Ministry:_____________________________________
______Staff Ministry:_______________________________________