Safe Sanctuary Training

1. Safe Sanctuary Training Aldersgate United Methodist Church November 23, 2008

2. Mark 10: 13-16 The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: “Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never know it.” Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.. The Message

3. Background • 1996-General Conference Resolution on Child Protection • 1998-Safe Sanctuaries is published by GBOD • 2007-SC Annual Conference resolution • A New Way of Living..

4. The Reality of Abuse • Abuse creates a lifetime of harm • Nearly 3 million reports of child abuse made annually • Rate of abuse is estimated to be 3 times greater than reported • 90% of abusers were abused • 90% of abusers are male..

5. The Reality of Abuse • 1 in 4 girls sexually abused before age 18 • 1 in 6 boys sexually abused before age 18 • 39 million survivors of sexual abuse in America today • In 90% of sexual abuse cases, the child is familiar with the offender • Offenders intentionally seek organizations that provide programs for children & youth..

6. Definitions of Abuse • Verbal Abuse-Any verbal act that humiliates, degrades, or threatens any child or youth. • Physical Abuse-Any act of omission or an act that endangers a person’s physical or mental health. (This includes any intentional physical injury caused by a caregiver. It may result from punishment that is overly punitive or inappropriate to the child’s age or condition or from purposeful acts that pose danger to a child’s physical health..

7. Definitions of Abuse Sexual Abuse-Child or youth sexual abuse is the sexual exploitation or use of same for satisfaction of sexual drives. This includes, but is not limited to: a. Incest b. Rape c. Prostitution d. Romantic involvement e. Sexual intercourse, sexual conduct, fondling f. Sexualized behavior that communicates sexual interest and/or content such as touching another person’s body, touching or rubbing oneself in the presence of another person, kissing, and sexual intercourse..

8. Indicators of Abuse Physical Abuse: • Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object • Bite marks • Anti-social behavior • Problems in school • Fear of adults..

9. Indicators of Abuse Verbal Abuse: • Apathy • Depression • Hostility or stress • Lack of concentration • Eating disorders..

10. Indicators of Abuse Sexual Abuse • Inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual acts • Nightmares and bedwetting • Drastic changes in appetite • Overcompliance or excessive aggression • Fear of a particular person or family member..

11. Indicators of Abuse Neglect • Unsuitable clothing for weather • Dirty or unbathed • Extreme hunger • Apparent lack of supervision..

12. Our ResponseKey Words to Remember • No isolated one-on-one interaction • No children/youth unsupervised • Care, custody, and control • No unsupervised access of children by non-supervising adults..

13. The Policy • Recruiting and Screening of Volunteers • Training • Regular Procedures • Reporting • Response..

14. Recruiting and Screening • Church leaders will check at least three references for each worker and those references shall be from individuals not related to the worker. The references will be contacted by phone, mail, or in person. Criminal background checks shall be made of all clergy and paid staff, and also of all volunteers who have supervisory program responsibility for children, youth (e.g. youth group leaders), and vulnerable adults, to the extent permitted by law, prior to employment, to determine current or historic child abuse or sexual misconduct, criminal records, violent or pedophiliac behavior..

15. Training • Prior to working in the youth or children department, workers must undergo child protection safety training. Initial training on issues of child sexual abuse in church settings shall be required for all clergy, paid staff and volunteers who regularly supervise youth activities (e.g. youth group leaders) and all other church employees..

16. Regular Procedures • Volunteers and paid staff working in any position of authority with children, youth and vulnerable adults, must be at least 21 years of age and at least 5 years older than the age of the persons with whom they are working. • Two approved adults must be present at all times. This applies to classroom activities, activities away from the church facility, and when transporting children, youth or vulnerable adults. • Further protection for the children, youth or vulnerable adults requires that an open door policy be followed, which allows the Pastor, any paid staff, and any parent the right to look in at any time. • All classroom and office doors will have a window or visibility from hallway or remain open while occupied. Outside windows will be kept free from adornment which obstructs vision and kept locked at all times..

17. Regular Procedures Things to consider: • Transportation • Sleeping arrangements on overnight trips • 6-month rule • Prior permission and communication with parents • Cyber safety..

18. Mandatory Reporting • SC law mandates that certain persons, by virtue of their positions, are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to DSS or a law enforcement agency “when in the person’s professional capacity the person has received information which gives the person reason to believe that a child has been or may be abused or neglected as defined in the SC statute..”

19. Mandatory Reporting • The list of required reporters includes members of the clergy, school teachers, counselors, and childcare workers in a childcare center. The term “school teacher” is not defined in the statute, and its definition is unclear; however, the term could potentially be interpreted to include Sunday school teachers..

20. Reporting in the Church Things to consider: • If an allegation is made of abuse, immediately contact the Senior Pastor or Pastor on call. He/She will immediately notify legal authorities? • Steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the child and to deal properly with the alleged offender?..

21. Response Things to consider: • If an incident involving your church is reported in the media, the District Superintendent or their designee will be the official spokesperson for the church? • Care will be given to insure the privacy of all those involved in the incident?..

22. Next steps • Implement policy • Notice the rub • Review policy regularly for changes or need for additional training..