SAFE SANCTUARIESPolicy and Procedures for Reducing the Risk of Policy and Procedures for Reducing the Risk of Child Abuse in the North Alabama ConferenceChild 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 thechild’s family or one entrustedwith 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 description2. Position application

with personal references

3. Background permission consent form

4. Personal interview summary form

5. Personal reference interview form

RECRUITING ANDPLACING VOLUNTEERS

Regular, Occasional & Last Minute

Volunteer s Should:Volunteer s Should:

• Fill out an applicationFill out an application

• Provide referencesProvide references

• Give permission to run a criminal record check.Give permission to run a criminal record check.

• Attend Safe Sanctuary Training!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.

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

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.

Safe Sanctuary TrainingAt 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

month membership in the church to workwith anyone under 18 years of age

adult rule

years older than the age group helping

Use a Roamer when 2 adults are not available.

No youth under 18 leading a group without adult supervision.

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 TRIPSBefore 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 age1:5-7 for sixth through eighth grade1:6-8 for ninth through twelfth grade

• Have at least 2 children and an additional adult ride in personal vehicles.

TRANSPORTATION AND YOUTH

• 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

•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.

REPORTING PROCEDURES

• Accidents – when an unintentional act occurs and a child Accidents – when an unintentional act occurs and a child is hurt.is hurt.

• Incident – when an action is observed that does not Incident – when an action is observed that does not require reporting to DHR, but does require attentionrequire reporting to DHR, but does require attention

• Suspected Abuse – when one sees, has be told of, or Suspected Abuse – when one sees, has be told of, or suspects a child has been abused in some way.suspects a child has been abused in some way.

The children’s director should have forms.The children’s director should have forms.

HOW A REPORT IS MADE…

Questionable Behavior Occurs

Innocent, accidental event occurs

File accident report with Director

Suggest alternatebehavior

Incident observedrequiring attention

File incident report with director

Director issues warning

Director offershelp

Training Counseling

Abuse observed or reported

Discuss with no one other than

appropriate authorities

File report of Suspected abuse

Tell Sr. Pastor or SPR Chair

Call Insurance Company

Call DS

Only one speaking to media

Call dep. of Fam. and child

ServicesDHR

Call police if appropriate

Do or say Nothing else let

DHRinvestigate

RECOMMENDEDGUIDELINES

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

Or identifying clothing…Your Church UMC Coach, Uniform skirt, jacket or

cap

YOUR NAME HERE

Church NameNorth Alabama Conference UMC

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT SYSTEM

• Your congregation should come up with a plan to sign in Your congregation should come up with a plan to sign in and sign out each child. and sign out each child.

• Inform the congregation of Safety Procedures.Inform the congregation of Safety Procedures.

• Establish release of children depending on the program Establish release of children depending on the program and age of child. and age of child. Suggestions:Suggestions:Newborn through second grade – parents pick upNewborn through second grade – parents pick upThird through Fifth grade – released with written Third through Fifth grade – released with written permission.permission.

POTTY POLICY

Diapering:• With another adult present• Done in visible area.

Toddler and Preschoolers • Adult supervises, but allows child independence• Potty “accidents” requiring help• Open door• 2 adults• Inform Parent

RESTROOM WITHBIGGER KIDS

• 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 Personal relationships are a must, but whether you are serving as a counselor, whether you are serving as a counselor, friend in Faith or chaperone, if meeting friend in Faith or chaperone, if meeting with a Youth one-on-one meet:with a Youth one-on-one meet:

» In a public placeIn a public place» The corner of a busy roomThe corner of a busy room» With the door openWith the door open

Consider a cyber use policyConsider a cyber use policy

MINISTRY SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

Each ministry has procedures specific Each ministry has procedures specific

to the age group or activity.to the age group or activity.

All workers should be given that informationAll workers should be given that information

prior to working in that ministry. prior to working in that ministry.

Procedures include what to doProcedures include what to do

in case of illness or emergency.in case of illness or emergency.

LEISURE MINISTRIES

Activities in the gym…– Be aware of our open facility

We cannot be sure that allwho are here are safe to bearound children

– Parents should superviserestroom 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. 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.

2. Parents are responsible for participant siblings. Player siblings should not be unattended in the building or on the playground.

CHILDCAREAND

PRESCHOOL• Nursery doors are locked at all times for highest security Nursery doors are locked at all times for highest security

and opened by staff onlyand opened by staff only

• To avoid congestion, only one parent may enter to drop To avoid congestion, only one parent may enter to drop off or pick up childoff or pick up child

• Tours of the nursery should be made during non-high Tours of the nursery should be made during non-high traffic timestraffic times

SAFE SANCTUARY TEAM ’S RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct safe sanctuary training, provide copy of operating Conduct safe sanctuary training, provide copy of operating and reporting procedures and recommended guidelines. and reporting procedures and recommended guidelines.

• Have all staff/volunteers sign that they have been trained Have all staff/volunteers sign that they have been trained and understand procedures and guidelinesand understand procedures and guidelines

• Supervise paid and volunteer workers to see procedures Supervise paid and volunteer workers to see procedures are being followedare being followed

• Review policy and procedures annuallyReview policy and procedures annually

• Update background checks every 3 yearsUpdate background checks every 3 years

• Keep all information on confidential file.Keep all information on confidential file.

• 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 Be aware of surroundings

M Be mindful of manipulators

A Be aware of what to avoid

R Be ready to report issues

T Be timely about telling