Transcript SAFE SANCTUARIES

SAFE SANCTUARIES
Policy and Procedures for Reducing the Risk of
Child Abuse in the North Alabama Conference
PURPOSE AND GOALS
1. Why do we need a Safe Sanctuary
Policy?
We need children in
our care to be safe.
2. We have a Biblical command.
Jesus said,
“Whoever welcomes
one such child
welcomes me”.
Mark 9:36
If any of you put a stumbling block
before one of these little ones…,it
would be better for you if a great
millstone were fastened around your
neck and you were drowned in the depth
of the sea. Matthew 18:6
WE PROMISE…
With God’s help we will
so order our lives after
the example of Christ,
that this child,
surrounded by
steadfast love, may be
established in the faith
and confirmed and
strengthened in the
way that leads to
eternal life.
Baptismal Covenant, United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44
PURPOSE AND GOALS
3. We need to protect volunteers
against false allegation of abuse and
victim of legal judgment.
4. To protect the good reputation of the
United Methodist Church
5. It is a General Conference
Resolution ’96.
The General Conference of the United
Methodist Church adopted this
resolution aimed at reducing the risk
of child sexual abuse in the church.
Statement of Covenant
Acknowledge the risks
Adopt a plan
Take steps to implement
the plan
Continue ministry to our
church families
So we will.....
• Develop and implement an ongoing education plan for the
congregation and it’s leadership to reduce the risk factors
leading to child abuse.
• Screen, train, and annually retrain all paid, volunteer, fill-in, and
chaperon workers
• Develop and implement safety procedures for activities
• Advise child/youth of agency outside the church to contact
incase of abuse.
• Carry adequate liability insurance
• Develop awareness for all congregation through special
curriculum or activities
• Have a reporting strategy
• Be familiar of the Annual Conference policies and laws of your
state
TRAINING COMPONENTS
Points covered:
• Child abuse defined
• Statistics and Rates
• Procedures to protect children, youth,
and those who work with them.
• How to report accidents, incidents, or
suspected abuse
Definition
• The National Resource Center on Child
Sexual Abuse defines child sexual abuse as
"any sexual activity with a child, whether in
the home by a caretaker, in a day-care
situation, in any organized ministry, whether
at the main facility (church) or away, or in
any other setting, including on the street by a
person unknown to the child. The abuser
may be an adult, an adolescent, or another
child.
TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE
• Physical
• Sexual
• Emotional (spoken and non spoken)
• Neglect
• Ritual
• Abuse of vulnerable adults
CHILD ABUSE STATISTICS
3 million cases of child abuse reported each year!
• 8,219 per day
• 343 per hour
• 6 per minute
• 1 every 10 seconds
Source – national center for child abuse and neglect.
ESTIMATED RATES OF
SEXUAL ABUSE
By age 18:
– 1 in every 3 girls
– 1 in every 7 boys
are sexually abused
(numbers underestimate since many are reluctant to report)
Source – national center for child abuse and neglect.
PROFILE OF A CHILD
MOLESTER
• Two types: Preferable and Situational
• Known to the child 80% of the time
• Generally between 20-30 years of age
• 20% of abuse before age 18
• Often married with children
• 1 in 4 offenders is a member of the
child’s family or one entrusted
with care of the child.
• About half are friends of child or family
• 2 out of 3 who are caught abuse again
PROCEDURES FOR
HIRING STAFF
1. Job description
2. Position application with
personal references
3. Background permission
consent form
4. Personal interview
summary form
5. Personal reference
interview form
RECRUITING AND
PLACING VOLUNTEERS
Regular, Occasional & Last Minute
Volunteer s Should:
• Fill out an application
• Provide references
• Give permission to run a criminal record check.
• Attend Safe Sanctuary Training!
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
CHECKS
Responsibility of the local church
• Keep on confidential file
• Employment Screening Services identify
yourself as a part of the North Alabama
Conference to receive the discount
• Call 866-859-0143 or check the website:
www.es2.com.
THE SIX MONTH
HOSPITALITY POLICY
A volunteer attending the church less than six months
Volunteer must:
• Be assigned to a position supervised by a “cleared”
person. Or…
• Be given a non-child-contact task until 6 month
period is satisfied.
• With the approval of the Church leadership a
volunteer may provide name of staff in former
church for reference contact.
QuickTime™ and a
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Safe Sanctuary Training
At new member orientation, new staff/volunteer
or annual review training
Must include:
1. Copy of your Safe Sanctuary Covenant
Statement
2. Policies to be implemented
3. Procedures for ministry
4. Steps to report
5. Details of what the state law requires
Orientation, training
and annual review
All workers should be given:
1. Copy of your Safe Sanctuary Covenant Statement
2. Policies to be implemented
3. Procedures for ministry
4. Step to report
5. Details of what the state law requires
SUMMARY
Create a Safe Sanctuary Team
a. Make a Statement of Covenant
b. Develop Policies and Procedures
c. Acquire needed information and keep on
confidential file (including clergy)
d. Keep records of education to staff,
volunteers and congregation.
GENERAL OPERATING
PROCEDURES
– The following procedures pertain to
all ministries involving
Children and youth.
2-5-6 RULE
adult rule
Use a Roamer when 2 adults are not
available.
years older than the age group helping
No youth under 18 leading a group without adult
supervision.
month membership in the church to work
with anyone under 18 years of age
WINDOWED AND OPEN DOORS
• Rooms occupied by children and youth must be
observable from outside the room
• Doors in the Nursery, Children and Youth areas
must be left open or have
• Windows
• Open half doors
• Windows in the walls
OVERNIGHTS
In a hotel setting
– No adult shares a bed with a child. Adult
sleeps in separate room with creative
monitoring. Frequent adult check-ins.
In a bunkroom setting
– At least 2 same gender adults may sleep in a
large room with multiple bunk beds.
OFF SITE TRIPS
Before departure
• Give contact info, start/stop times of event, location of event,
program content, lodging info, etc.
• Get all contact info from parent with written or documented
parent/guardian permission
• Provide adequate supervision ratios –
Same gender adult: Child or youth
1:5 for elementary age
1:5-7 for sixth through eighth grade
1:6-8 for ninth through twelfth grade
• Have at least 2 children and an additional adult ride in personal
vehicles.
TRANSPORTATION AND YOUTH
•All bus and vehicle drivers must be screened
including a review of their motor vehicle record and
proof of updated insurance.
•If using church bus, trustee guidelines for use of
church owned vehicle should be followed.
•All children must provide a permission/liability form.
• Never let them drive from the church to off-site location
• Either plan to meet at the location or transport with adult
drivers
• Have at least 2 adults or 2 youth when driving personal
vehicles
REPORTING PROCEDURES
• Accidents – when an unintentional act occurs and a child
is hurt.
• Incident – when an action is observed that does not
require reporting to DHR, but does require attention
• Suspected Abuse – when one sees, has be told of, or
suspects a child has been abused in some way.
The children’s director should have forms.
HOW A REPORT IS MADE…
Questionable Behavior Occurs
Discuss with no one
other than
appropriate authorities
Innocent, accidental
event occurs
File accident report
with Director
Abuse observed
or reported
Suggest alternate
behavior
Director issues
warning
Training
File incident report
with director
Director offers
help
Counseling
File report of
Suspected abuse
Tell Sr. Pastor
or SPR Chair
Call dep. of
Fam. and child
Services
DHR
Call Insurance
Company
Call police if
appropriate
Call DS
Only one speaking to media
Do or say
Nothing else let
DHR
investigate
RECOMMENDED
GUIDELINES
APPROPRIATE TOUCH
• Never be the first to hug and always the
first to let go. Perfect the SIDE-HUG.
• Should you hold a child in your lap?
• As long as it is age-appropriate and
happens in an open area.
DISCIPLINE
Basics
– Use positive words
– Establish rules and expectations
– Tell parents the good, the bad, then
the good (Sandwich Rule)
– Involve the church staff when
necessary
– Plan strategy when child threatens
self or others.
IDENTIFY YOURSELF
• Wear a Nametag
YOUR NAME HERE
Church Name
North Alabama Conference UMC
Or identifying clothing…
Your Church UMC Coach, Uniform skirt, jacket or cap
CHECK IN/CHECK OUT
SYSTEM
• Your congregation should come up with a plan to sign in
and sign out each child.
• Inform the congregation of Safety Procedures.
• Establish release of children depending on the program
and age of child. Suggestions:
Newborn through second grade – parents pick up
Third through Fifth grade – released with written
permission.
POTTY POLICY
Diapering:
• With another adult present
• Done in visible area.
Toddler and Preschoolers
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•
•
•
•
Adult supervises, but allows child independence
Potty “accidents” requiring help
Open door
2 adults
Inform Parent
RESTROOM WITH
BIGGER KIDS
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Do not allow child to go to restroom alone…take at least 2
Tell other adult (leave classroom door open)
Check restroom before kids go in
Do not assist child unless there is an emergency.
Inform the parent
YOUTH MINISTRY
• Personal relationships are a must, but
whether you are serving as a counselor,
friend in Faith or chaperone, if meeting
with a Youth one-on-one meet:
» In a public place
» The corner of a busy room
» With the door open
Consider a cyber use policy
MINISTRY SPECIFIC
PROCEDURES
Each ministry has procedures specific
to the age group or activity.
All workers should be given that information
prior to working in that ministry.
Procedures include what to do
in case of illness or emergency.
LEISURE MINISTRIES
Activities in the gym…
– Be aware of our open facility
We cannot be sure that all
who are here are safe to be
around children
– Parents should supervise
restroom breaks
Activities on the field…
– Adults retrieve balls from the woods
– Pay special attention in the parking lot
COACH–TELL THE PARENTS!
In a parent meeting, tell parents to follow
these child-safety rules:
1.
2.
Parents are to remain on site, but if a parent must
leave practice or game, he/she is to designate another
adult to be in charge of his/her child in an emergency
and tell coach who that person is.
Parents are responsible for participant siblings. Player
siblings should not be unattended in the building or on
the playground.
CHILDCARE
AND
PRESCHOOL
• Nursery doors are locked at all times for highest security
and opened by staff only
• To avoid congestion, only one parent may enter to drop
off or pick up child
• Tours of the nursery should be made during non-high
traffic times
SAFE SANCTUARY TEAM ’S
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Conduct safe sanctuary training, provide copy of
operating and reporting procedures and
recommended guidelines.
• Have all staff/volunteers sign that they have been
trained and understand procedures and guidelines
• Supervise paid and volunteer workers to see
procedures are being followed
• Review policy and procedures annually
• Update background checks every 3 years
• Keep all information on confidential file.
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Research issues
Evaluate current practice
Develop Policies and Procedures
Plan for response
Approval of Church Council
Educate and Train
Implement and monitor implementation
QUESTIONS
JUST BE SMART
S
M
A
R
T
Be aware of surroundings
Be mindful of manipulators
Be aware of what to avoid
Be ready to report issues
Be timely about telling