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Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
Waldorf, MD 20602
Adopted October 26, 2008
Updated May 11, 2009
Safe Sanctuary
A Child Abuse Prevention Policy
Introduction
Background Statement
In April 1996, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child sexual abuse in the church. The adopted resolution includes the following statement:
Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes [a] child…welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and in the realm of God.
Jesus also said, “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones…it would be better for you if a great milestone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6). Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality and protection to the little ones, the children. The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that “children must be protected from economic, physical, emotional and sexual exploitation and abuse” (P162C).
Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child sexual abuse, exploitation, and ritual abuse [“ritual abuse” refers to abusive acts committed as part of ceremonies or rites; ritual abusers are often related to cults, or pretend to be] occur in churches, both large and small, urban and rural. The problem cuts across all economic, cultural, and racial lines. It is real, and it appears to be increasing. Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation within churches. Virtually every congregation has among its members adult survivors of early sexual trauma.
Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved: the child, the family, the local church and its leaders. Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional, and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.
God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and ritual abuse. God calls us to create communities of faith where children and adults grow safe and strong.
(From The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church - 2000, pp. 180-181. Copyright 2000 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Used by permission.)
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, we as the official body of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, adopt this policy to protect children and youth in our church from abuse and/or harassment.
Purpose
The congregation of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (GSUMC) is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all who participate in ministries and activities sponsored by the church. GSUMC implements a Safe Sanctuary policy to protect children, youth and volunteers from all forms of abuse and/or harassment and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to physical safety, mental well-being, and spiritual growth.
Statement of Covenant
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith, Good Shepherd United Methodist Church pledges to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and youth as well as those who work with them.
We will:
Follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers;
Implement prudent operational procedures in our ministries;
Educate individuals working with children and youth regarding this policy and its requirements;
Have clearly defined procedures for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law;
Be prepared to respond, if an incident occurs.
Conclusion
In all ministries with children and youth, the congregation of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each child will be “surrounded by steadfast love, established in the faith and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal.” (Baptismal Covenant II, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44).
Charge Conference
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church
October 2008.
Employee/Volunteer Application Requirements
Volunteers over 18 years of age will complete a Volunteer Application for Adults form. Youth, age 13 through 17, will complete a Volunteer Application for Youth.
Employees will complete a GSUMC Employment Application.
All employees and Adult Volunteers will complete a Character and Conduct Questionnaire upon application and at least annually thereafter.
References will be listed on the appropriate application and will be checked by GSUMC.
Employees and Adult Volunteers who work with children will have a background check. The background check will be paid for by GSUMC and conducted through an agency/organization approved by the church.
Employees and volunteers will review the Safe Sanctuary policy and agree to abide by the procedures and requirements.
Youth ages 13 to 18 years of age who wish to become a church employee or volunteer are to provide at least two written references from adults who have seen the applicant interact with other children. This might be a church worker, coach, school teacher, scout leaders, etc. At least one of these two references needs to be unrelated to the applicant. (Checking these references will take the place of the background check required for adult applicants).
Volunteers must meet one of the following requirements before beginning a volunteer assignment:
Member of GSUMC for at least six months;
Regular attendee at GSUMC for at least six months.
Employees and volunteers will attend training, as required.
Employees and volunteers may be asked to undergo subsequent background checks in order to continue to work with children or youth.
All personally identifiable information obtained by the church for the purpose of screening employees and volunteers will be handled with care and discretion. It will be seen by only those who need to see it in order to implement church policies and it will be stored in a secure and locked location on the church property until such time as it may be destroyed.
Application Review
Good Shepherd United Methodist Church reserves the right to deny or revoke any individual’s application to work with children/youth. Circumstances under which an application will be denied/revoked include, but are not limited to:
Applicant has a child abuse conviction or impingement (sexual, physical or emotional);
Conviction or impingement for violent offenses including, but not limited to, murder, rape, assault, domestic violence, etc.;
Refusing to complete and sign the Volunteer Application or Character and Conduct Questionnaire;
Refusing to provide consent for a background check;
Refusing to provide information necessary for reference checks;
Violations of the Safe Sanctuary policy.
Discipline Policy for Children
When a child is not functioning well in a group setting, one or more of the following procedures are used.
Children are verbally asked to stop a certain activity or are redirected to another one.
Church volunteers and employees will model appropriate words or behaviors as a teaching strategy.
A church volunteer or employee will only physically remove a child in the event of danger to the child or another child.
A child may be asked to leave the group for a brief period until ready to join group activities again.
A church volunteer or employee may place their arms around a child whose behavior is out of bounds in order to stop the child from injuring self or others.
The church environment is re-evaluated often in order to make changes that would suggest a more positive behavior.
Church volunteers and employees will work with parents to gain new insight and establish common goals.
Corporal punishment is not allowed at Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. Spanking, threatening or frightening the student is prohibited. Depriving a student of food or comfort, such as taking away snack or long periods away from the group are not permitted and are not allowed for disciplining at GSUMC. No physical punishment (e.g., spanking, hitting) and/or verbal/emotional abuse (e.g., yelling at, name calling, ridiculing) will be used at any time.
General Procedures
All access to church computers with internet capabilities must have parental controls enabled.
Employees and volunteers will receive a job description that includes the tasks and responsibilities of the position.
No child or youth will be alone with an adult during any church-sponsored program, event, or ministry. This will be referred to as the “Three Person Rule.” Examples include:
Sunday school classes for children/youth are always led by at least two adults.
A Bible study group for youth is always taught by at least two adults.
A youth fellowship group is always staffed with at least two adults.
Employees and volunteers who supervise children/youth will be at least five years older than those they are serving.
No one under the age of 18 will be given primary responsibility for the care or supervision of children/youth.
For any private conversations with children/youth, the door of the room used will remain open for the entire time. Ideally, such conversations should be conducted at a time when others are nearby, even if they are not within listening distance.
Signed parental/guardian consent will be obtained for children/youth who wish to participate in any church sponsored event held off site.
Employees and volunteers will be provided with instructions on disaster preparedness, safety procedures and basic first aid.
Church volunteers and employees will be provided with training and instruction of church policies and state laws with regard to child abuse and procedures for reporting suspected incidence of abuse.
All drivers transporting children or youth for a church sponsored activity or related events must be at least 21 years of age and possess a current, valid driver’s license, provide proof of insurance, and not be otherwise disqualified from driving.
The following are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any ministry (this list is not inclusive):
a. Tobacco
b. Illegal drugs
c. Alcohol
d. Foul or offensive language
e. Firearms or other weapons
This policy will be disseminated to all employees and volunteers and made available to all members. It will be prominently posted on bulletin boards in the church office, social hall, halls in the classroom areas, or other meeting places in the church. In addition, it will be posted on the GSUMC website.
With regard to volunteers or other individuals other than employees, the Pastor and the Chair of the Safe Sanctuary Team are responsible for implementing this policy and ensuring that all allegations are investigated and resolved promptly. With regard to church employees, this function will be taken by the Pastor and the Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
All outside groups using the church will be made aware of the church’s Safe Sanctuary Policy and certify in writing that they have read it and will abide by it. Where the policy provides for specific church related forms the group will either use them or certify that they have their own which meet or exceed the church’s requirements.
When there is a suspected incident of abuse or harassment church members are encouraged to inform the Pastor or the appropriate Chairperson. For a suspected incident related to a church employee, the Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee or the pastor may be informed. For a suspected incident related to a church volunteer or other individual other than a church employee, the Pastor or Chair of the Safe Sanctuary Team is to be informed.
Employees and volunteers working with children/youth shall immediately report any suspected abuse in accordance with the procedures listed below.
Procedures Regarding the Reporting of Abuse
Once an incident of abuse occurs or an allegation is made, it is crucial that it be dealt with speedily and in a clearly outlined manner. Keep in mind that while all allegations must be taken seriously, they are still allegations until proven otherwise. In that spirit, information related to the incident should be kept strictly confidential until a resolution is achieved. Records will be made available to all agencies and persons/parties with a right to know.
If allegations are made against the Pastor, the Chairperson of the Administrative Council shall be contacted immediately and he/she will execute the responsibilities assigned to that person under this policy.
Persons who are the objects of the report will be required to refrain from all children or youth activities until the incident report is resolved. In any suspension of a person from said activities, care should be taken to handle this in a discreet manner, recognizing that an investigation is still being conducted.
The Pastor, Chairperson of the Staff Parish Relations Committee, or an official designee is the only person authorized to make statements to representatives of the media.
The Church will make every effort to provide ongoing ministry and pastoral support for all persons involved. The bonds of Christian love call us to affect healing for all persons.
Steps:
As appropriate, the child should be comforted and assured that they are not at fault. Warmth and concern shown initially may facilitate the healing process.
The person who observes alleged abuse or to whom such alleged abuse is reported shall report the incident immediately to the person in charge of the activity and complete the form “Report of Suspected Incident of Abuse.”
The person in charge will report the incident confidentially to the Pastor or to the Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
The Pastor will immediately comply with current state of Maryland law in regards to reporting the incident to law enforcement authorities and/or Child Protective Services.
The Pastor will then immediately inform the employee, volunteer or other individual of the accusation against him/her and advise the person that they are to immediately suspend all contact with children and youth and that he/she is to have no contact with the accuser and his/her family. Furthermore, if the accused is an employee, they will be suspended immediately pending the outcome of the investigation. If the accused is a member of the church, a volunteer, or a guest, the Pastor is to request that he/she not return to the church building pending the outcome of these procedures.
The Pastor will complete the form “Follow up to Report of Suspected Incident of Child Abuse” in order to keep a record of actions taken and to assure that the procedures in this Safe Sanctuary policy and the laws of the state of Maryland have been followed.
The Pastor will decide who will convey information related to the incident with the parents/guardian. Parents and guardians should be kept appraised of any investigation or further steps taken with regard to the reported allegation.
It is not the responsibility of GSUMC, its members or employees to carry on an investigation of the reported abuse. The investigation, if warranted, is to be carried on by Charles County Sheriff’s Office, Charles County Department of Social Services, the church’s insurance company and/or Baltimore Washington Conference officials.
The Pastor will call an emergency meeting of the Staff Parish Relations Committee to inform the committee and implement these procedures.
The Pastor will inform the District Superintendent and the church’s Insurance Agency of the incident.
Media inquiries and other requests for information from GSUMC related to the reported incident are to be handled only by the Pastor and Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee.
Definitions
Adult- Any person 18 years of age or older.
Child – Any individual under the age of 12.
Emotional Abuse – Actions that include verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference or constant family conflict.
Employee – Any individual who is hired and paid compensation for services rendered on behalf of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church.
Guests – Individuals who assist or lend their talents to a children/youth activity. They are unpaid and do not have primary responsibility for the activity in which they are participating.
Physical Abuse – Any action that is non-accidental physical trauma or injury inflicted by a parent or caretaker on a child may be termed physical abuse. It also includes a parent’s or a caretaker’s failure to protect a child from another person who may perpetrate physical abuse on a child.
Physical Neglect – Action or inaction that fails to provide for a child’s physical survival needs to the extent that there is harm or risk of harm to the child’s health or safety. This may include, but is not limited to abandonment, lack of supervision, life endangering physical hygiene, lack of adequate nutrition that places the child below the normal growth curve, lack of shelter, lack of medical or dental treatment that results in health threatening conditions and the inability to meet basic clothing needs of a child.
Sexual Abuse – Any action that includes penetration or external touching of a child’s intimate parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in a child’s presence for sexual gratification, sexual use of a child for prostitution and the manufacturing of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is also the willful failure of the parent or the child’s caretaker to make a reasonable effort to stop child sexual abuse by another person.
Sexual Misconduct – An abuse of power through sexual conduct or activity, not limited to sexual intercourse, in which a person violates the free choice, or abuses the vulnerability of an other person with whom the person comes into contact because of that persons position or responsibility within the church.
Sexual Harassment – A form of sexual misconduct. Defined as any unwanted sexual advance or demand, either verbal or physical, which is perceived by the recipient as demeaning, intimidating, or coercive.
Volunteer – Any person assigned a position of responsibility for children or youth activities sponsored by the Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. These individuals do not receive compensation for their efforts. (This would not include parents or adults who may provide transportation for children or youth to and from the church.)
Youth – Any individual between the ages of 12 and 18.
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