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WHY SAFE SANCTUARIES ?

This comprehensive guide provides tools, statistics, and protocols to safeguard against abuse in churches. Utilize scripture, legal resources, and practical steps to ensure a safe environment for all. Learn about the warning signs, reporting guidelines, and crisis management strategies to protect vulnerable individuals and maintain the integrity of your congregation. Take proactive measures with screening practices, training programs, and emergency response plans. Safeguard your community with knowledge and action.

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WHY SAFE SANCTUARIES ?

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  1. WHY SAFE SANCTUARIES ? • Protect our children • Protect our workers • Protect the Church’s assets for mission and ministry

  2. TOOL #1SCRIPTURE • Jeremiah 1:1-10 • I Samuel 1:27-28 • Amos 5:24 • Micah 6:4-8 • Matthew 18:5 • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 • Luke 2:22ff

  3. TOOL #2BAPTISMAL COVENANT

  4. Members of the household of faith, I commend to your love care these children (persons), whom we this day recognize as members of the family of God…

  5. With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that these children surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. The United Methodist Book of Worship, pages 104-105.

  6. TOOL #3MATH PROBLEM • 1 child every 10 seconds is abused • 1 out of 10 boys; 1 out of 5 girls will be sexually assaulted in childhood • 50% of worship center sexual misconduct is by volunteers • 1 person every hour has stroke/heart attack • Less than 20% of child abuse is perpetrated by strangers. Church Mutual; Joy Melton, Safe Sanctuaries, Discipleship Resources

  7. KENTUCKY FACTS • During 2002-2004, a child was reported abused or neglected every 8.5 minutes in Kentucky • Using this statistic, during a 1 hour worship service, 7 reports will be made 2005 Kentucky Kids Count. www.kyyouth.org

  8. PHYSICAL ABUSE • In 2004, 11,374 cases of physical abuse were reported in Kentucky • 23% were substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation 2005 Kentucky Kids Count. www.kyyouth.org

  9. EMOTIONAL ABUSE • In 2004, 607 cases of emotional abuse were reported in Kentucky • 20% were substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation. 2005 Kentucky Kids Count. www.kyyouth.org

  10. NEGLECT • In 2004, 33,038 cases of neglect (and dependency) were reported in Kentucky. • 38% wre substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation. 2005 Kentucky Kids Count. www.kyyouth.org

  11. TOOL #4SCARY BUT TRUE STORIES

  12. TOOL #5INCORPORATION www.gcfa.org/Inc.LocalUMC.html http://www.sos.ky.gov/business/filings/forms/

  13. TOOL #6MEET PATRICK • WHO ARE THE ABUSERS? • HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE THEM? • TYPES OF ABUSE? • WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

  14. TOOL #7CHECKLISTFOR LOCAL CHURCHES

  15. TOOL #8RECRUITING-SCREENING-HIRING PRACTICES • Written Application Forms • Personal Reference Forms • Driver’s License Checks • Personal Interviews • Six Month Hospitality Rule • Participation Covenant • Criminal Background Checks local-state-national-Megan’s Law Website

  16. TOOL #9BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES • Two UNRELATED Adult Rule • Windows/half doors In All Classrooms • No Workers Under Eighteen • Four-Years-Older Rule • Open Door Counseling • First Aid/CPR Training

  17. Participation Covenant For All Participants/Leaders • Annual Orientation For Workers • Advance Notice To Parents • Parent and Family Education • Appropriate Equipment and Supervision

  18. TOOL #10CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN • Notify the parents of the victim and take any necessary steps to assure child’s safety. Child’s safety is first concern. • Treat accused with dignity, but immediately remove him/her from further involvement with children and/or youth.

  19. Notify proper law enforcement/child protective services. • Notify proper Conference authorities, insurance agent, and church’s attorney.

  20. CONFERENCE CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM WILL ASSIST CHURCH LEADERS. • Prepare a brief and honest statement that can be made to the congregation. Do not give unnecessary details, blame, interfere with victim’s privacy or violate any confidentiality. There is a difference between confidentiality and secrecy. • Be prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation.

  21. TOOL #11 ISSUES CONCERNING REPORTING

  22. KENTUCKY STATUTE FOR REPORTING • 620.030: Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately cause an oral or written report to be made to a local law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police.

  23. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPROVED POLICY • Reporting is required by any staff or a volunteer that: ~personally witnesses an incident of abuse or exploitation ~when an allegation of an event of abuse or exploitation is made to staff or a volunteer by a third party ~when a child/vulnerable adult discloses abuse or exploitation.

  24. CLERGY AS REPORTERS • “All clergy of the United Methodist Church are charged to maintain all confidences inviolate including confessional confidences, except in the cases of suspected child abuse or neglect or in cases where mandatory reporting is required by civil law.” The Book of Discipline, 2004 ¶ 341.5

  25. REPORTING • Abuse must be reported to the Kentucky Child Protection Hot Line: 1-800-752-6200

  26. ADDITIONAL ISSUES • Ecumenical Ministry • Outside Groups Using Church Facilities • Response Plan—who speaks to the media • Clergy as mandated Reporters • KY State Police Child Abuse Hotline – 800-543-7723

  27. QUESTIONS ABOUT INSURANCE • How much coverage do you have? What are the limits? • Do you specifically have “SAM” insurance? • Who is covered/Who is not covered?

  28. Exactly what is covered—criminal lawsuits/defendant until found guilty, innocent? Punitive damages are never covered. • What do you do if there is an allegation?

  29. “TRUTH, LIES, AND SEX OFFENDERS” HOW THEY THINK, WHAT THEY DO ANNA C. SALTER, Ph.D

  30. TOM SALSGIVER CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE tom@cpcumc.org 717-766-7441

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