Safe Church Policy for Persons at Risk

Safe Church Policy

Section:Care & FellowshipFile No.3090-00

Approval:[FC 2008.07.17/16]Effective Date:July 17, 2008

Coverage:Council / Staff / VolunteersReview Date:July 2010 AC

Safe Church Policy for Persons at Risk

Trinity Christian Reformed Church

Abbotsford, BC

Content

1. Biblical and Theological Affirmationspg. 3

Biblical Perspective

Affirmations

2. Principlespg. 3

Covenant

Treatment of Persons:

Reporting

Supervision

Training

Accountability

3.Policy Statement pg. 4

A. Preamble

B. Purpose

C. Definitions

D. Safe Church Committee

E. Ministry Staff/Volunteer(s)

F. Records Administration

G. Education

H. Discipline Matters

a. Handling Discipline

b. Discipline Guidelines

4.Specific Program Guidelines pg. 8

A. Nursery Program

B. Children’s Church School

C. Bible School, Coffee Break and other Ministries Involving Children

D. GEMS and CADETS

1. Youth Groups
2. Office Bearers

5.Procedure for Handling Abuse Reports pg. 11

1. Introduction

2. Responding to Signs, Symptoms and Reports of Abuse

3. Reporting Procedures

4. Suspected Abuse by Staff/Volunteer of a Minor, Youth, Adult, or Senior Person

Appendix 1: Signs and Symptoms of Child Abusepg. 13

Appendix 2: Responding to a Child’s Report of Abusepg. 15

Appendix 3: Reporting Abuse (child under 19)pg. 15

Appendix 4: Responding to Parent(s) who are notified of an Abuse Reportpg. 16

Appendix 5: Responding to Adult Abuse Complaintspg. 16

Appendix 6: Liability Insurancepg. 17

For further details of DENOMINATIONAL POLICY see ACTS OF SYNOD 1997 and following.

1. Biblical and Theological Affirmations

Biblical Perspective

a. God created persons in the Divine Image, male and female (Gen. 1:26-27).

b. Women and men are equal in the sight of God (Gal. 3:28).

c. The human body is good. Human sexuality is an integral part of our humanity and is profoundly personal. Its physical, emotional and spiritual expression in relation to another person of the opposite sex in a marital relationship ought to be based on a loving commitment and accountability to both God and the other (1 Cor. 3:16 & 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16).

d. Human sexuality is also social and can become the basis for oppression and injustice, violating the intention of God’s loving good order (1. Cor. 5).

e. God calls persons to wholeness through Jesus Christ and to participation in the Body of Christ, the community of faith, whose quality is redemptive love (1 John).

Affirmations

• In the light of the above statements Trinity Christian Reformed Church (Trinity CRC) affirms the following:
• Trinity CRC seeks to live the new life in Christ. It is our hope that our church community will be a place showing God’s presence in the world.
• Therefore, we strive to create in our church an environment that nurtures each person’s dignity and safety so that everyone can grow and mature as the Creator intended.
• We acknowledge, however, that we live in a broken world, and that one of the signs of that brokenness is the violation of boundaries for healthy relationships. When sin of this nature occurs, appropriate action is required.
• We must strive to achieve justice, protect victims, promote the healing of those who have been abused, and work towards the repentance and healing of the abuser.

2.Principles

COVENANT

In keeping with Biblical and Reformed principles, Trinity CRC is committed to an environment that is characterized by mutual concern and respect among all members of the body of Christ, children, youth, adults and seniors.

TREATMENT OF PERSONS

Sexual, physical, emotional and spiritual abuse includes, but is not limited to, making unwelcome sexual advances; corporal punishment; threatening, shaming, or humiliating; engaging in improper physical contact; making improper sexual comment or jokes; making a person’s submission to such conduct a term or condition of one’s participation in extracurricular activities; or otherwise creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. All children, youth, adults and seniors are expected to refrain from such conduct and treat others with Christian dignity.

REPORTING

All Council members, staff, volunteers, or anyone in a position to represent Trinity CRC are required to follow existing legislation when reporting any suspected incidents of abuse to child welfare or police authorities. They should also notify the Safe Church Committee (SCC) of Trinity CRC or seek their advice as appropriate. All complaints of abuse and harassment shall be promptly investigated.

The SCC shall ensure that legal reporting requirements are met. All records that are kept of the report shall remain confidential and secure.

SUPERVISION

Two persons (staff or volunteers) must be present during any session involving a child(ren) (12 and under) and as much as possible for youth, adult and seniors programs offered in Trinity CRC. This is meant as protection of the child/youth and the staff/volunteer.

Volunteers shall be members (baptized or confessed) of the Trinity CRC for a minimum of 6 months before they can serve in the area of youth and children’s ministry. Volunteers, confessed or baptized members of a Christian church, wishing to serve in various programs and recommended by the ministry head, will be interviewed by SCC. On completion of the interview process the SCC will make a recommendation to the Church Council or Administration Committee regarding the appointment.

The nursery has to be supervised by at least two staff/volunteers in the same room. These individuals are not to be a married couple unless a third non-related person is also present.

TRAINING

Because the dynamics of abuse are present in every culture and community, there is benefit and necessity for everyone involved in ministry to participate in training on a yearly basis. Mandatory training sessions will be held preferably in the 1st week of September to be attended by all staff/volunteers that would like to be involved in ministry during the coming year. Supplementary training can be arranged as required.

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ACCOUNTABILITY

Trinity CRC is committed to enforce this Safe Church Policy at all levels within the church. Conduct, which genuinely disregards or violates the described policies will not be tolerated. If a complaint is substantiated, appropriate disciplinary and corrective action will be taken.

3.Policy Statement

A. Preamble

Living with abuse, neglect and harassment is a reality for many people, young and old. Studies and statistics today indicate an incidence of abuse within the church is equal to that of the general population.

“It has become fairly well accepted that approximately one in four girls and one in five boys have experienced some type of sexual abuse before their eighteenth birthday.” (Safe Place Handbook Guidelines With Focus on Safety and Abuse)

“People with disabilities report sexual and emotional abuse at rates double, even triple to those persons without disabilities.” (Report 28, Synod, 1992 CRC Committee)

Sadly, in our society, people are often not given enough credibility when/if they do disclose. The Church’s desire must be to educate others and ourselves around the issue of abuse so as to recognize the signs, respond appropriately, support the survivor and remain accountable to one another for our actions.

Above all, we must be seriously concerned with the need of protection for the victim of abuse. It may also be required that the situation reported may involve criminal charges in order that the victim may be protected and that the perpetrator be brought to justice.

B. Purpose

The Church has a spiritual, moral and legal obligation to provide a secure, safe environment for adults and children participating in the Church’s programs.

This policy is intended to assist the Church’s staff and volunteers (including office-bearers) in

• Preventing the abuse of a person;
• Preventing staff/volunteer(s) from being falsely accused; and
• Preventing the Church from losing its witness of the gospel.

It is hoped that the policies herein will further the reality of the Church as a “sanctuary” and a place of ministry. Abuse of anyone must be condemned and eradicated from the Church’s organization.

C. Definitions

1. “Physical Abuse” is any non-accidental human act that results in physical pain or injury to a person whether or not it leaves a cut or wound, or a mark or a bruise. Physically abusive behaviour ranges from slapping, pushing, shoving, punching, kicking, and biting to more severe forms like choking, severe spanking, beating, hitting with an object, burning, stabbing, and shooting. In other words, physical abuse is any intentional means of inflicting pain or injury to another person. It is sometimes a single event, but can also be a chronic pattern of behaviour.

2. “Physical Neglect” is not doing what one is supposed to be doing to meet the physical needs of someone in his or her care. Neglect interferes with or prevents a person’s normal development.

3. “Sexual Abuse” is the exploitation of, or any sexual intimacy forced on a person for the sexual stimulation or gratification of another person. Sexual abuse can refer to taking advantage of a person who is not capable of understanding sexual acts or resisting coercion such as threats or offers of gifts. Sexual abuse may or may not involve physical contact. Examples of non-physical sexual abuse include people exposing themselves, displaying pornographic material, photographing a person for pornographic materials, obscene telephone calls, “peeping Toms”, and requests to engage in sexual activity (where no physical contact occurs). Examples of sexual abuse involving physical contact include fondling of body parts such as breasts, crotch, buttocks, or sexual organs, intercourse, oral and anal sex.

4. “Emotional Abuse” is attempting to control a person’s life through words, threats, and fear, destroying a person’s self-worth through harassment, threats, and deprivation. Emotional abuse weakens a person’s mental and physical ability to resist, cuts off his or her contacts with others, and causes a gradual loss of self-esteem all of which reinforce a sense of helplessness and dependence on the abuser.

5. “Children, youth or minors” are individuals under the age of 19 years.

6. “Volunteers” are non-paid individuals who serve in a child, youth, adult or seniors program and/or who have direct contact with these persons in their care or supervision.

7. “Staff” is individuals paid by the church who serve in a child, youth, adult or seniors program and/or who have direct contact with these persons in their care or supervision.

8. “Child, Family and Community Service Act” is the legislated law of British Columbia that speaks to Child Protection (part 3).

D. Safe Church Committee

1. The SCC will be comprised of six (6) members based on the following criteria:

a. Members in good standing at Trinity CRC

b. Three (3) year term with optional renewal at Council’s discretion

c. Term of office to be staggered to provide stability and continuity

d. Committee to be comprised of three (3) femalesand two (2) males at large from the congregation and one (1) Council member representative (non-staff member).

e. Members who resign from the SCC must submit their resignation to the Church Council. The Church Council is responsible for appointments to the committee.

2.The SCC will be responsible for all steps involved in the application, screening, reference checks and acceptance of volunteers and in providing advice and recommendation with respect to staff.

a. Interviews (as per section E. 3.) are to be conducted by at least two (2) of the six (6) members present with both genders represented.

b.Confidential files on each staff/volunteer are to be maintained in a secure place and will contain the following:

1. Staff/Volunteer Form (see enclosed)

2. Reference Form (see enclosed)

3. Criminal Record Check Form

4. Observations by interviewers

c. Access to these files is restricted to the members of the SCC and can only be opened in the presence of a minimum of two (2) committee members.

3.Decisions regarding acceptance/rejection of volunteers will be made by the full SCC.

a. The full standing committee is the first level of appeal. Church Council is the final level of appeal.

b. No applicant with a history of child abuse or assault will be accepted to serve in ministry.

c. The church reserves the right to reject any applicant for any reason. The applicant may appeal.

E. Ministry Staff/Volunteer(s)

1.All staff and volunteers are required to complete an application form, as prescribed by Council.

2.All applicants will be required to give the names of two references to complete a Personal Reference Information Form in a format prescribed by Council.

3.All staff and volunteers will be interviewed by members of the SCT, as designated by Council.

4.All adult staff and adult volunteers who direct children, youth, adult and seniors ministries shall complete a Criminal Record Check. Other adult staff and adult volunteers who work in particularly sensitive ministries may be requested to complete a Criminal Record Check.

5.All staff and volunteers must be members (baptized or confessed) of the Trinity CRC or members (baptized or confessed) of other churches who have been approved by both the ministry head and Church Council or Administration Committee (for procedure see p.4 under “Supervision”).

6.All staff and volunteers must agree to comply with the Church’s Safe Church policy and, if non-compliant, the individual will be required to relinquish his/her responsibility in the program.

7.The Church will reduce the risks with-in one-to-one contact by:

a. Two persons (staff or volunteers) must be present during any session involving a child(ren)(12 and under) and as much as possible for youth, adult and seniors programs.

b. Notifying a parent or guardian to obtain his/her permission to meet alone in a planned one-to-one contact with their child, youth, or dependent.

c. Requiring a parent to sign consent that his/her child may be transported alone.

d. Generally two persons (staff or volunteers) must be present to transport children (12 and under) in a church vehicle and/or in a staff/volunteer(s) vehicle, and as much as possible for youth, adults and seniors.

e. Ensuring that meeting room doors have windows that allow for observation of activities.

f. One-to-one contact which takes place outside the church facility in the absence of a second staff/volunteer should occur in a public place.

F. Records Administration

The SCC is responsible for maintaining appropriate records and addressing issues of confidentiality to meet legislative requirements.

G. Education

1. All staff/volunteer(s), involved in ministries shall familiarize themselves with the Safe Church Policy and participate annually in the Safe Church Training Session, led by a qualified individual(s), directed at issues of abuse, identification and reporting obligations.

2. Resource material will be made available upon request.

H. Discipline Matters

a. Handling Discipline

1. Persons involved in programs may engage in behaviours that are disruptive or unacceptable. When these behaviours occur in church-sponsored programs, it is often a church staff/ volunteer(s) who must intervene. A staff/ volunteer(s) can interrupt or stop an unacceptable behaviour by mentoring which behaviours are acceptable and which are not. By example and over time, the staff/ volunteer person teaches how to behave in a socially acceptable way and in a manner that is Christ like.

2. When dealing with child(ren)/youth it may be appropriate for a staff/volunteer(s) to interrupt or stop an unacceptable behaviour by intervening with a mild form of discipline. This discipline is intended to “catch the child’s attention” and act as a deterrent and a reminder that certain behaviour is unacceptable. Inappropriate use of discipline can turn into abuse when pain, injury, or humiliation results, or when it is used excessively.

Some examples of excessive or abusive discipline are listed below:

Abusive Physical Discipline

a. Slapping, kicking, punching, hitting, choking, pushing, shoving, hair pulling, twisting, pinching.

b. Discipline that leaves a bruise, mark, wound, or cut.

c. Discipline administered with any device or object (such as a paddle, spoon, stick, book).

Abusive Verbal Discipline

a. Shouting or yelling, threatening, hurling insults or obscenities.

b. Discipline that is intended to humiliate a child/youth.

c. Discipline by refusing to speak to a child.

d. Discipline that involves bribery, coercion, or threats.

e. Discipline followed by a request/threat to the child/youth not to tell anyone what happened, not to report the discipline, or not to show anyone a mark or bruise.

b. Discipline Guidelines

1. Corporal punishment (slapping, hitting, and pushing) is not permitted.

2. Abusive verbal discipline (yelling, hurling insults, threatening) is not permitted.

3.Concerns about a child’s behaviour or the response to a child’s inappropriate behaviour should be reported to the program supervisor.

4. Expectations and discipline of children/youths’ behaviour must reflect their age and level of comprehension.

5. Children are to be reminded of the kind of behaviour that is acceptable for the setting. Older children and youth may benefit from having these expectations in written form.

6.Appropriate forms of discipline are to be reviewed with staff/ volunteers before church-sponsored programs begin a new season. Then periodic reminders are to be given as needed.

7. A staff/volunteer should be involved weekly in classrooms where misbehaviour is an ongoing problem.

8. Parent(s) are to be informed and involved whenever a child/youth does not respond to minor correction, or if a pattern of misbehaviour increases.

9. Whenever possible, staff/ volunteers should consider using one or more of the following options when dealing with misbehaviour:

• Distract the child/youth with another activity.
• Help the child/youth focus on another more acceptable behaviour.
• Isolate the child/youth from others, if another staff/ volunteer is available to assist
• For young children, time-outs should not last longer (in minutes) than the age of the child. For example, a three-year-old should not have to sit for a time-out any longer than three minutes.
• When nothing seems to be working, staff/volunteer(s) should get help before “losing their cool.”

4. Specific Program Guidelines

A. NURSERY PROGRAM

1. Minors, age 12 to 17, who have been approved by the nursery coordinator, may assist in the nursery, provided that an adult is present. Minors may not care for child/ren without adult supervision.

2. One adult attendant must be in the infant nursery with no more that four infants before an additional attendant is required. One adult attendant must be in the toddler nursery for every six children before an additional attendant is required. At least two attendants must serve in nursery whenever it is scheduled.