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Community of Christ

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Children and Youth Workers Training:

Core Training

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Goals•To re-affirm that the process is there to protect the youth worker, the church but primarily the child or young person•To increase awareness of the symptoms and consequences of Child Abuse•To explore the ways in which abuse may occur and be prevented. •To consider the foundation principles that underpin the church’s rational for Children and Youth Worker Registration•To explain the screening and reporting processes

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ContextAllegations of abuse are becoming more prevalentStatistically abuse is a reality that occurs even within our faith movement.Standards must be in placeProtecting our children and youth is not optional

The Community of Christ shares its Enduring Principles through all aspects of life. The Worth of all Persons, Blessings of Community, Pursuit of Peace and Responsible Choices are all components especially pertinent to this life experience.

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Those most vulnerable in our society should have the right to fulfill their potentialEveryone has a responsibility to support the care and protection of childrenWe can promote social justice by living out the principles in our Child Protection Policies

The Child comes 1st

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But, the procedures are also there to protect you and so must be taken seriously and adhered to in a robust manner.

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Activity

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A word about ….yourself

•This knowledge can affect your life and have a personal effect•The information can be upsetting•You will meet survivors- in this group•This information confronts our own parenting and our experience of parenting

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4 Categories of Abuse

1.NeglectThe responsible adult fails to provide

adequately for various needs. Physical, emotional, educational, medical

2.Emotional/ PsychologicalIncludes name calling, ,ridicule,

degradation, destruction of belongings, torture of pet, excessive demands or critism, routine humiliation, withholding communication

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3.PhysicalPhysical aggression directed towards

a child by an adult with intent to cause injury.

4.Sexual AbuseAbuse of a child by an adolescent or

adult for sexual stimulation. Could be pressuring child to engage in sexual activity, exposure, actual physical contact, displaying or using a child in pornography.

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What is abuse?

Inflicting harm, or failing to act to prevent harm to a young person. It may occur immediately or through accumulated affects over a period of time

Children may be abused in a family, or in an institution or community setting, by those who know them or more rarely by strangers

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Activity

Fill in the blanks (small groups)

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How do we safeguard our children?

Anyone working with children or young people in any of the church’s programs (youth leader, Sunday school teacher, camp counselor etc) MUST be a registered Youth Worker.All priesthood must be registered Youth WorkersRegistered Youth Worker Assistants (15-21yrs) will only be used under the supervision of a registered youth workerPromoting the Enduring principles will help to create environments conducive to loving relationships

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Fundamental principles:

1. Selection and screening2. Education3. Minimizing opportunity for harm4. Respect for the Child

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1.Selection and screening

Youth worker application form•Signatures ( applicants, parent if under 18yrs, interviewer, Mission centre president/F.O)•Interview•References•6 month affiliation rule

Registration is initiated at Congregational level onto mission centre then to legal services at IHQ. To finalize registration your registration is entered onto church’s data base and the Mission centre president is notified of registration

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Richard Hammer’s 5 step plan

• Written application• Personal interview• Institutional References• 6 month affiliation rule• 2by2 adults

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2.Education

RYW must learn the facts and understand them:-•Why registrations are in place•Different types of abuse•Ways to protect children from potential abusers• How to respond to reports of past or current abuse

IE this course!

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Education also provides protection for our youth leaders.

• Gives them permission to act appropriately

• Gives permission to ask for support/another person

• Protects them from potential allegations

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A word about the children…..

It is not our responsibility to educate children about Child Abuse, it is our responsibility to help children understand God’s love for them as individuals, for them to know they are an important part of our community and that the church is a safe place.Think about how you can do this practically in your camp/vacation school/activity day etc.

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3. Minimizing the opportunity for harm

•Adhere to the 2 by 2 rule•Visual 1:1•Prepare and plan

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4. Respect the Child

•Respect the child’s privacy•Dress appropriately•Constructive Discipline•Appropriate touching

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NO CHILD SHOULD EVER BE ALONE WITH AN ADULT BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

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Activity

Scenarios

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ReportingIf a child or young person discloses to you or if you

witness abuse

You are a mandatory reporter: •You should report simultaneously to the activity director and the authorities.•You should then ensure that the information is shared with the Pastor, MCP and Legal Services. •This process should follow a matter of minutes•Legal services 24hr cell number is :- 816 509 2946 or the office 816 833 1000 Ext. 2220 or 816 377 0417If you are not confident in reporting to the authorities then anyone in that line, including Legal Services will help you.

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During the disclosure:-

•Do not offer confidentiality•Stay calm, but try to get some basic information- particularly who and where the abuse occurred.•Use the registration form for the child’s details. •Disclosures may come from the activity or from home•If the abuse occurred at an activity directors should separate the accused abuser from the activity- not in 1:1 environment (may need to go home) and provide the abused with comfort to the level they require•You can remain anonymous in this process, but it would be unwise if the case goes to court.

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The privilege of being a Youth worker brings with it responsibilities……..

but those responsibilities can be an expression of the Peace and Justice principles that we try to live by. Live out our mission!!