A SAFE SANCTUARY Congregation

 

The Child Protection Policy

 

of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church

(Policies and Procedures for Reducing the Risk of Children/Youth Sexual Abuse in the Church)

 

I.                   INTRODUCTION

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them.  But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.  Truly, I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God , as a little child will never enter it.  And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.’   Mark 10:13-16

            This incident from the ministry of Jesus speaks of the value our Lord placed on children and the example of faith that they provide for the rest of us.  As followers of Jesus, we understand that children/youth are inherently valuable members of Christ’s community.

            Jesus highlighted not only the faith and openness of children, but also their vulnerability.  This vulnerability puts children at risk, but it also places them close to God.  Their dependence on God may be what Jesus was trying to get his disciples to see as a model for their own faith.  This vulnerability and dependence makes the protection and support of the community of faith even more important.  Jesus was teaching that, within the community of believers, there must be protection for each of us in our dependence on God and on each other.  As followers of Christ, we resolve to protect children in their vulnerability and also to learn from them as we all grow in the faith.

            Our culture appears to be experiencing an increase in the incidence of child abuse and neglect.  As much as we do not like to think about abuse and hurtful things happening in the church, it is clear that it is our duty as the church to guard and protect the children, youth, church staff and volunteers who participate in our ministries.

            The General Conference of The United Methodist Church, in April 1996, adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child sexual abuse in the church.  The adopted resolution includes the following statement:

“Our Christian faith calls us to offer both hospitality and protection to the little ones, the children.  The Social Principles of The United Methodist Church state that ‘…children must be protected from economic, physical and sexual exploitation, and abuse.’  Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children.  Child sexual abuse, exploitation and ritual abuse…occur in churches, large and small, urban and rural.  The problem cuts across all economic, cultural and racial lines.  It is real, and it appears to be increasing.  Most annual conferences can cite specific incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation in their churches.  Virtually every congregation has among its member’s adult survivors of early sexual trauma.

Such incidents are devastating to all who are involved: the child, the family, the local church and its leaders.  Increasingly, churches are torn apart by the legal, emotional, and monetary consequences of litigation following allegations of abuse.

God calls us to make our churches safe places, protecting children and other vulnerable persons from sexual and ritual abuse.  God calls us to create communities of faith where children and adults grow safe and strong.”

(From The Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church – 1996. pages 384-386)

            Since the 1996 General Conference, every annual conference in the has reported at least one incident of child abuse.  Thus, in covenant with all The United Methodist congregations, we adopt this policy for the prevention of child abuse in our church.

II.                PURPOSE

The purpose of the Child Protection Policy of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church is to:

1. Provide procedures specifically designed to protect the children, youth, church staff and volunteers associated with the ministries of the church.

2. Establish appropriate ways of responding to alleged, reported, or suspected incidents of abuse.

3. Be in a compassionate ministry with all affected persons – the alleged victim, the alleged victim’s family, the accused, the accuser’s family, and the church family.

We hereby resolve to put into practice the procedures set forth herein with the intent to:

1. Safeguard the children/youth of our church from abuse and neglect.
2. Respond to all allegations in a fair and compassionate manner.
3. Protect church staff and volunteers from potential false allegations of abuse.
4. Limit the extent of our church’s legal risk and liability.
5. Strengthen our Christian education children/youth ministries.

III.             DEFINITION OF ABUSE

Mandatory Reporters

            South Carolina law (20-7-510) has provided for many years that doctors, nurses, dentist, optometrists, medical examiners, emergency medical services, mental health, allied health professionals, Christian Science practitioners, religious healers, school teachers, counselors, social or public assistance workers, child care workers, police or law enforcement officers, undertakers, funeral home director or employees, and judges are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse.  The Child Protection Reform Act, which took affect in January 1997, added school principals and assistant principals, substance abuse treatment staff and persons responsible for processing film as mandatory reporters.  Pastors are also mandatory reporters.

Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse includes any form of sexual contact or exploitation in which a minor is being used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator.  Child sexual abuse may be violent or non-violent.  All child sexual abuse is an exploitation of a child’s vulnerability and powerlessness in which the abuser is fully responsible for the actions.  Child sexual abuse is criminal behavior that involves children in sexual behaviors for which they are not personally, socially, and developmentally ready.  Child sexual abuse includes behaviors that involve touching such as; fondling, oral, genital, and anal penetration, intercourse, and non-touching aspects such as; verbal comments, pornographic videos, obscene phone calls, exhibitionism, and allowing children to witness sexual activity.

Definition of abuse:

A child’s physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect.  Common definitions:

• Physical abuse – death or permanent or temporary disfigurement or impairment.
• Mental injury (emotional abuse) – injuries to intellectual or psychological capacity of a child’s functioning (belittle a child, isolate, terrorizing).  Must be determined clinically.
• Sexual abuse – person forces, coerces or threaten a child to have sexual contact
• Neglect – failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, supervision, or health care.

Basically, child abuse is anything intentionally done to harm a child.

Appropriate behaviors for adults working with children/youth

The following are appropriate behaviors for adults to use in relating to minors when working or volunteering for the church.

1.      Listening carefully to children and show interest in what they have to say.

2.      Pray that our children may grow in faith in God and respect for each other and creation.

3.      Be fair and consistent.

4.      Have a sense of humor, be flexible and giving, enjoying the children, smile often.

5.      Focus on positive behaviors and praise him/her for that behavior.

6.      Set clear limits that can be managed by adults and understood by children.

7.      Let parents know that they are welcome to visit their child or youth’s classroom.

8.      Use appropriate, positive steps when discipline is needed and focus on the behavior, not the child.

·        If a child is behaving inappropriately, the teacher or worker will tell the child specifically what he or she is doing that is not acceptable and state what the expected behavior is, for example, “We do not throw the blocks.  We use blocks for building.”   (give verbal direction)

·        If this measure is not effective the child will be guided to another activity.     (redirect their activity)

 

·        If inappropriate behavior continues, the child may be placed at the table to work alone away from the other students.    (isolate from group)

 

·        If the child’s disruptive behavior continues after these steps have been taken, the child should be taken to his/her parent if possible or to the adult responsible for the activity.  (remove from classroom)

·        If disruptive behavior continues, the Sunday school teacher or adult leader should discuss the situation with the child’s parents or guardian as soon as possible.  It may be recommended that the parent must be present for the child to participate in the program.  (parent conference)

Note: Physical punishment and/or verbal abuse are not to be used at any time. 

IV.  SELECTION AND SCREENING OF CHURCH STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS

In an effort to create a safe environment within our church and to comply with our insurance company requirements, each church staff person and volunteer who works with the church’s children or youth programs will be screened and appropriately trained on child protection issues. 

The screening procedure is outlined below.

1.  Application Form:  Each person being considered for work with children or youth will complete a copy of the attached application form.  This form contains the applicant’s consent to have criminal background and personal reference checks conducted.  The completed application will be maintained by the DCE.

2.  Criminal Background Checks:

a)  A national criminal background check will be conducted on all employees who have a

reasonable degree of contact with children and youth programs.  These positions are deemed to fall into this category: pastors, DCE, Preschool/Kindergarten staff, Mom’s Morning Out Program staff, music ministers, Nursery Coordinator and nursery workers. (Note:  No criminal background check can be conducted on individuals under the age of 18.)

b)      A state-wide criminal background check will be conducted on all volunteers involved in: (1) nursery activities at times other than Sunday morning (2) Preschool Kindergarten and Mom’s Morning Out volunteers who have “regular/ongoing” contact with children (3) Chaperones on over-night events (sleep-overs, Lock-ins, camping trips, Salkehatchie Summer Service etc. (4) Persons in one-on-one mentorships (5) Coaches and Assistant Coaches.  Note:  Checks must be conducted in all states in which the applicant has lived in the past seven years.

  c)  All requests for criminal background checks will be submitted by the DCE, Youth

       Director or the Director of the Preschool/Kindergarten. The results of the criminal     

       background checks will be maintained in locked files by the individual submitting the

       request.

3.      Personal Reference Checks: Beginning December 1, 2004, a minimum of two personal

reference checks will be conducted on all new employees and volunteers who have a reasonable degree of contact with children or youth.  References should be of an “institutional nature”- former employer or individual in an organization in which the applicant has previously volunteered and have known the applicant for some time.  References should not be relatives or close personal friends.  Since no criminal background checks can be conducted on applicants under 18, extra care should be given to personal reference checks.  Reference checks may be conducted telephonically using the attached questionnaire as a guide.  The results will be recorded in writing and signed by the individual conduction the check.  Results will be maintained in locked files by the three individuals mentioned in 2c above.

4.  Once the results of all checks have been received the DCE, Youth Director or Director of the Preschool/Kindergarten will review everything and make the decision to allow involvement or not to allow involvement.  If there is a need for a personal interview to clarify any of the information that should be scheduled as soon as possible and the results of the interview recorded in writing and kept on file.  Confidentiality must be maintained in all situations where negative or derogatory information in involved.  The Senior Pastor, or in his absence the Associate Pastor, will be consulted before any individual is notified that they will not be allowed involvement.

V.     SUPERVISION OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Two Person Rule: 

Never allow minors to be alone with one adult in the church facilities or in any other

sponsored activity unless it is a counseling situation.  One-on-one counseling is restricted to pastor.  This two adult rule does not apply to the classrooms in the Preschool/Kindergarten or the Mom’s Morning Out Program; however, in these situations the classroom door must have a window in it so that these areas can be periodically monitored from the hallway.

Supervision of Classroom Activities (including: Sunday School classes, Children’s Church,  Wednesday’s Children, Vacation Bible School, summer children’s programs, youth activities)  All activities involving children and youth will be supervised by at least two people: one adult who is at least 21 years of age plus one additional person who is at least five years older than those whom they are supervising (must be in the 6^th grade or older).  In addition to the two-person minimum, for adequate supervision of large groups there must be at least 1 adult for every 10 children (ratio of 1/10) and 1 adult for every 15 youth (ratio of 1/15). 

 

Chaperoning

All drivers must be at least 21 years old.  The ratio of chaperones for day trips is one chaperone to every 8 youth (1/8) and one chaperone to every 5 children under the age of 12 (1/5) with a minimum of two adults.  On overnight trips there must be at least one male and one female adult chaperone if the group is of mixed gender. 

Supervision of Nursery

All activities involving the care of infants and children will be supervised by at least two people: one adult who is at least 18 years of age plus one additional person who is at least 16 years old.

Church Nursery Identification Procedure

Persons responsible for children who are infants through age four will make sure parents sign in their child, list where they can be located in case of an emergency, and indicate special instructions. 

Obtain Parental Permission

Children and youth must have permission form and an emergency medical form for involvement in church sponsored programs or activities.  These must be updated annually.  The person in charge of each trip and/or retreat will carry permission forms and emergency medical forms.  

Auditable Records:  Individuals responsible for children’s and youth activities must maintain

auditable records.  For example, coaches must keep written records of participant attendance at practices and games and record the names of the adults supervisors at each of these events.  The same applies to choir practices, Bible studies, summer programs, nursery, Sunday school, MYF meetings, etc.  Records should be provided to the Sunday School Superintendent.

Open Door Policy

Classroom or childcare rooms may be visited without prior notice by church staff, parents, or other volunteer church workers.

First Aid and Safety

Each adult supervisor needs to know the closest emergency fire evacuation route, location of fire extinguisher, and location of first aid equipment with report forms for injuries and accidents.  The DCE, Youth Director, Nursery Coordinator, and Director of Preschool/Kindergarten must all be certified in CPR and First Aid.  The Boy Scouts will inspect and refill first aid kits quarterly.

VI.              RESPONSE BY CHURCH WORKERS AND/OR PERSONS USING THE FRANCIS ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO INJURIES AND ACCIDENTS.

When an incident occurs, the adult supervisor must complete the report form for injuries and accidents and turn in the to the Pastor within 24 hours of the incident.

VII.           RESPONSE BY CHURCH WORKERS AND/OR PERSONS USING FRANCIS ASBURY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH TO ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE.

It is our legal and moral responsibility to report suspected abuse whenever it comes to our attention regardless of where that abuse takes place.  We shall report suspected abuse to stop potentially existing abuse and to prevent further abuse.  If abuse occurs, it is our intention to act as an advocate for all affected persons, providing support, information, assistance and intervention.  We seek to provide a supportive atmosphere, offering both objectivity and empathy as we seek to create a climate in which healing can take place.

 

If abuse is suspected by, observed by, or disclosed to a volunteer and/or paid staff member of the church, that person shall report the incident immediately to the pastor and/or other staff person.

 

Do not confront the accused until the safety of the child or youth member is secured.  The care and safety of the victim is the first priority.  Be careful to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of all involved.  Allow the pastor to handle the situation using the guidelines listed in the appendix.  Do not disclose the details of the allegation in a public interview, only a selected spokesperson or pastor will give such a statement.  Be prepared to provide a witness statement and/or show documentation of your efforts at handling the incident.

 

VIII.  EDUCATION OF PERSONS WHO WORK WITH CHILDREN AND

YOUTH

The training, as a minimum, will be a complete review of information contained in this document with adequate time for questions and answers.  All individuals will receive training before they begin to interact with minors and annually thereafter.  Records will be kept showing the names of those receiving the training and the date on which it was received.