“with god’s help we will so order our lives after the ...€¦ · ~united methodist hymnal,...
TRANSCRIPT
“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 faith, & confirmed & strengthened in the way that leads to life
eternal.” ~United Methodist Hymnal, Church Baptismal Vows
Ø Itisourethicalduty,moralresponsibilityandlegalmandatetomakeourchurchasafeplaceforchildren.
Ø However,thepolicyisn’tjustforchildren.Thisprogramalsoprotectsthechurch,itsstaff&itsvolunteers(YOU),fromfalseaccusationsoranyappearanceofimpropriety.
Ø Ourformalwrittenguidelinesinthedocument“SafeSanctuaries&Procedures”areintendedtopreventtheopportunityorappearanceofabuseofaminor.
Ø Becausewehavetheseguidelines,we(asachurch)areheldtoahigherstandardthanthegeneralpublic.Becausewehavetheseguidelines,wearelegallyboundtofollowthem&tomakesurethatourvolunteersfollowthem.
Ø Wefeelcalled&mandatedtoensuresafesanctuaryforallGod’speople.Ø Weseektopreventtheoccurrenceoreventheappearanceofabuse.Ø Weaimtoprotectworkersfromfalseaccusations&/orsuspicions.
Ø Anychurchsponsoredactivityonoroffcampusinvolvingchildren/youthinwhichtheirparents/legalguardianshavegivenconsentbutarenotpresent,includingbutnotlimitedto:
SundaySchool YouthGroup SportingEventsVacationBibleSchool FieldTrips ChildcareMissionActivities Overnighters PartiesConfirmationClass WorshipArtsClass BandPracticeStudyBuddies CounselingSessions Meetings
Ø AllClergyØ AllStaffMembersØ Volunteerswhoworkregularlywithchildrenoryouthinanychurchsponsored
programoractivity,including,butnotlimitedto: -StudyBuddytutors -SundaySchoolteachers -Nurserycaregivers -YouthMentors
Ø Allapplicantsmustbe18yearsofageorolder.Ø Youthhelpersarenotbackgroundchecked&areneverconsideredtomeetthetwo
adultruleorratiorequirements.Ø NOTE:Someonewhoonlyvolunteersforaonetimeevent(i.e.VacationBibleSchool
orsimilareventthatonlyoccursonceayearorless)doesnothavetobebackgroundchecked,butmayNOTbeleftalonewithchildrenoryouth.
Ø NOTE:Anactiverelationshipwiththechurchisrequiredbeforeavolunteermaybeginthisprocess.
Ø CompleteaVolunteerApplicationPacket,whichincludes:• BackgroundCheckReleaseForm(every2years)• VolunteerApplication
§ FaithStatement§ Youwillneedtoprovidethenames&contactinfo.for3personalreferencesthatareNOTstaffmembers
Ø CompleteaclassonintroductiontotheSafeSanctuariespolicy&procedures
Ø Allinformationprovidedisconfidential&keptunderlock&key&accessislimitedtotheSafeSanctuaryAdministrator(s)&Pastor.
Ø VolunteersthathavebeenthroughtheSafeSanctuaryprocess&havecompletedthetrainingclassfornewvolunteersarerequiredtoparticipateinanannualtraininginwhichtheywillreviewtheSafeSanctuaryPolicy&Procedures,recertifying&recommittingthemselvestoupholdingHUMC’sSafeSanctuaryprogram.Thismaybedoneby:
• Takingtheinperson/onlinePowerPointTraining• Completing&turninginthesignedparticipationsheet• KeepinguponchangestotheSafeSanctuaryPolicy
Ø ChildabuseisbothaviolationofChristianhospitality&isillegal!Ø Anintentionalactthatthreatensorinflictsphysicaloremotionalabuseorsexualmaltreatmentuponachild/youth.Ø Abusealsoincludesfailingtopreventanincidenceofabuseorallowingachild/youthtobeinasituationthatresultsinphysical,emotionalorsexualinjury.
Ø Examplesofphysicalabuseinclude,butarenotlimitedto:• Spanking,Burning,Choking,Shaking,Slapping,Hitting,Kicking,etc. • Batterywithaweapon(knife,belt,ruler,etc.)
Ø Examplesofemotionalabuseinclude,butarenotlimitedto:• Exposingachild/youthtointimidation,humiliation,threatsorbullying• Sendingamessagethatachild/youthisworthless,bad,unloved,orundeservingoflove&careØ Controlledorillegalsubstancemisuse(bytheadultorbythechild/youth).
Ø Abuseinwhichcontactbetweenachild/youth&anadult(orotherolder&morepowerfulchild/youth)occurs.Ø Examplesofsexualabuseinclude,butarenotlimitedto:• Behaviorthatcommunicatessexualinterest
• Displayingsexuallysuggestivematerial• Sexualizedcommentsorinnuendoes• Touchinganother’sbody,hairorclothinginaprovocative,uncomfortableorintimatemanner• Touching,rubbingorexposingoneselfsexuallyinthepresenceofanotherperson• Sexualcontactincludingintercourseororalsex
Fromthewebsite:www.dhr.state.md.us
Ø Amandatedreporterissomeonewhoencounterschildrenthroughtheiremployment.MandatedreportersarerequiredbythestateofMarylandtoreportanyknownorsuspectedinstancesofchildabuseorneglecttothecountychildwelfaredepartmentortolocallawenforcementagency(localpolice/sheriff’sdepartment).
Ø If you knowingly fail to report suspected abuse of a child, you may be subject to professional sanctions by licensing boards. Anyone that makes a “good faith” report is immune from civil liability and criminal penalty.
Ø Conversely,non-mandatedreportersarenotrequiredbylawtoreportincidentsofabuse“butareencouragedtoobtaintrainingintheidentification&reportingofchildabuse&neglect&arefurtherencouragedtoreportknownorsuspectedinstancesofchildabuseorneglect.”
Ø Takecareofthechild/youth.Secureemergencymedicalhelpifneeded.Ø Ifyouareamandatedreporter:
-Reporttheincidenttothepolice.-ContactoneoftheSafeSanctuaryAdministratorsorthePastorassoonasisreasonablypossible.
Ø Ifyouarenotamandatedreporter:-ContactoneoftheSafeSanctuaryAdministratorsorthePastorassoonasisreasonablypossible.-Bereadytoreportonalldetailsoftheincident.
Ø Maintaintheconfidentialityofthoseinvolvedandcooperatewiththesubsequentinvestigation.
Ø Ifyouareconfrontedoraccusedofabuse,immediatelycontactamemberofthestafforthepastor.Ø Makeyourselfavailableforquestioning.Ø Youwillbeaskedtostepdownfromyourpositionwithchildren/youthuntilthematterisresolved.Ø Thechurchwillprovideaccesstoresourcesforcounseling.
Ø AdesignatedspokespersonwillbechosenbytheSafeSanctuariesCommitteetorepresentthechurchincaseofanallegedchildabuseincident.Ø ThisdesignatedpersonistheONLYpersonauthorizedtospeaktothemediaonbehalfofHUMC.Ø Ifyouarecontactedbyamemberofthemediareferallquestions&commentstothechurchofficewhowillgetthemincontactwithourchurch’sspokesperson.
Ø Atleast2adultsshouldbepresentatallchurchsponsoredactivitieswherechildren/youthareinvolved.Ø AtleastoneoftheseadultsMUSTbebackgroundchecked.Ø Thebackgroundcheckedadultisconsideredtheleadadult&isresponsibleforfollowingSafeSanctuaryprocedures&ensuringthesafetyoftheevent.Ø Ifbothadultsarerelatedathirdnon-relatedadultmustbepresent.Ø Atnotimeshouldanon-backgroundcheckedadultbeleftalonewithchildren/youth.
Ø Tobeconsideredanadultleaderforanactivity,volunteersmustbe5yearsolderthantheoldestchild/youthparticipant.
• i.e.an18yearoldmaynotworkwithSeniorHighyouth,butmayworkwithJuniorHighyouthundertheageof13orchildren.
} Werecognizethatsometimesunforeseencircumstancesmakeitimpossibletohave2adultspresent.Whenthisoccursitisimperativethatanindividualadherestothefollowingstepstoensurethesafetyofchildren/youth&toprotectthevolunteer:
• Asupervisingadultshouldmakeperiodicobservationoftheeventorvisittheclassoractivityaslongasonlyoneadultispresent.
• Stayvisibletoothersbystayinginanareawhereotherscanseeyou.• Keepthedooropenunlesstherearewindowsintheclassroom,makesurewindows
areunobstructed.• Askyourself,“Doesmybehaviorseemsuspiciousorinappropriateifviewedfroma
distance?”• Agoodruleofthumbis-ifIcan’tseeanotheradult,thentheycan’tseeme.
Ø Wheneverachild/youthispresentoncampusthereshouldalwaysbeatleast2adultspresent,evenifthe2ndadultisnotpartoftheactivity/eventtakingplace.
Ø AtNOtimeshouldanadultbealonewithonlyonechild/youth.Ø AtNOtimeshouldayouthbeleftalonewithonlyonechild.Ø Ifavolunteerfindsthemselvesalonewithachild/youththeyshould:• Seekoutanotheradultoncampustostaywithyouuntiltheeventisoverorthechild/youthhasbeenpickedup.
• IfthisisnotpossiblefollowtheLineofSightruleofthumb&stayinanareawhereyouarehighlyvisible.
Ø Trytoavoidthesetypeofsituations,butaboveallbesmartifyoufindyourselfinone!!
Ø Inordertoprovideasafeatmosphereforchildren/youthtolearn,worship&fellowshipinthefollowingratiosaretobeadheredtoforanyevent:
} Aratioof1adultto8children/youthisnottobeexceeded.} Aratioof1adultto3infants/toddlersisnottobeexceeded.Ø 1to1isNEVERanacceptableratio,thisisforthesafetyofthechild/youth,butaboveallyou,thevolunteer.
Ø Ifpossibleusethebuddysystemwhensendingchildrentotherestroom.Ø Ifthisisnotpossible&thechilddoesnotneedassistance,checkthestallsforadultsbeforesendingthemintousethefacilitiesalone.Ø Ifyoumustaccompanyachildintotherestroomalone,alerttheotheradultpresent&leavethedoorajar.Ø Ifachildneedsassistancewithwipingorclothingleavethedoorajar.Ø Ifachild/youthneedsextraordinaryassistance,suchasrequiredbecauseofahandicap,oraccidenttwoadultsshouldbepresent.
Ø Unlessaparent/guardianhasinstructedyoutocallthemintheeventofadiaperchange,itisabsoultelyappropriatetochangediapersasneeded.Ø Diapersshouldbechangedinanopenenvironment&allpossiblehealthprecautionsshouldbefollowed(i.e.washinghands&disposingproperlyofchangingmaterials).
Ø Ifthefirealarmgoesoff,thebuildingshouldbeevacuated.Ø Gatherthechildren/youth,counthowmanychildren/youtharewithyou&proceedtothenearestsafeexit.Ø Dependingonwhereyouare,proceedtotheparkinglotoroneofthegrassyareassurroundingthechurch.Ø Stayoutsidethebuildinguntilthe“allclearsignal”isgiven.Ø Ifitisnotpossibletoreenterthebuilding,remainwithchildren/youthuntilastaffmembercanrelieveyouorifthisisnotpossibleuntilallchildren/youthhavebeenpickedupbyaparent/guardian.
Ø Volunteersshouldmakenoteofanyhealthconditionsorallergiesofchildren/youthintheircare,thesecanbefoundonsign-insheets&healthhistoryforms.Ø Firstaidkitscanbefoundinvariousareasofthechurch,including:
-Classrooms -ChoirRoom -Bigkitchen-Frontoffice -Sanctuary
Ø Icecanbefoundinthekitchenfreezerforminorbumps&bruises.Ø Donothesitatetocall911.Ø Contactastaffpersonassoonaspossible.Ø Bepreparedtodocumenttheincidentifnecessary,includingwhathappened,whowasinvolved&whattreatmentwasgiven.
Ø Disciplineisanappropriate&sometimesnecessaryChristiantoolthatteacheschildren/youthbothappropriateboundaries&thatwe,likeGoddesirethebestforthem.Remember:evenGoddisciplinesthoseHEloves.Ø Emphasizethatitisthebehaviorthatisnotgood,notthechild/youththemselves.Ø Ifthereisachild/youththatiscontinuallydisruptiveitisappropriatetocontacttheYouthDirectortoinitiateaparent/teacher/directorconference.
Ø ForChildren• Makechildren&parentsawareoftherules.• Affirmation&encouragementarealwaysappropriate.• Physicaldiscipline,suchasspankingsareNEVERpermitted.• Humiliation,name-callingorshunningofthechildareNEVERpermitted.• Moveachildtoadifferentseatorhavethemsitnexttothevolunteer.• Ifthebehaviorisoutofcontrol&/orathreattothegroup.Itisappropriatetohaveanadultcallorfindtheirparents.
Ø ForYouth• Makeyouth&parentsawareofrules.• Usegentlereminders.• Affirmation&encouragementarealwaysappropriate.• Atnotimeshallcorporalpunishmentbeused.• Malicioususeoflanguagetowardaminorisprohibited.Thisincludesnamecallingoranylanguageleadingtofeelingsofworthlessnessonthepartoftheminor.• Inaccordancewithstate&federallaws,thehazingofaminorbyanyadultisstrictlyprohibited.• ContacttheYouthDirectorifinappropriatebehaviordoesnotimprove.• BanningayouthfromfutureoutingsoreventsshouldonlybeimplementedbytheYouthDirectororPastor.
Open Door Counseling Ø At any counseling sessions with children or youth, the door of the room should
remain open for the entire session. Ø Ideally, the session will be conducted at a time when others are nearby, even if
they are not within listening distance. Ø Counseling sessions conducted behind close doors are a breeding ground for
false allegations of abuse.
Ø Close doors are make it too easy for the child abuser to have the privacy and isolation he or she needs.
Ø Nomatterwhereorhowcommunicationoccurswithachild/youth&whetheritisconnectedwithchurchornot,SafeSanctuariesrulesapply.Ø Allcommunications&contactwithinsocialmediashouldbeinitiatedbythechild/youth.Includingrequeststobe“friends,”orforcellnumbers,e-mails,&usernames.NOTE:Ifthechildisundertheageof13,permissionfromtheirparents/guardiansmustbeobtainedfirstbeforeengaginginANYcommunication.Ø Ifyoudonotfeelcomfortableinteractingwithachild/youthoutsideofchurch,itisokaytodecline“friend”requests,tweets,texts,etc.Ø Keytosocialmediainteractionsisthattheyshouldbeseenasthesameasface-to-faceinteraction.Whatwouldyousayordoifyouwereinfrontoftheperson?
Def.-Websites&otheronlinemeansofcommunicationthatareusedbylargegroupsofpeopletoshareinfo.&todevelopsocial&professionalcontacts.ThesemeansofcommunicationincludebutareNOTlimitedto:FaceBook,MySpace,Twitter,YouTube,texting,e-mail,Tumblr,Flickr,blogs,InstantMessaging&forourpurposesthewrittennote.
Ø Photosorvideosofchildren/youthwhetheroncameras,camcorders,cellphones,etc.shouldonlybetakeniftheirparentshaveasignedaPhotoReleaseonfile.Ø Photosorvideosofchildren/youthcanonlybepostedonlineiftheirparentshaveasignedthePhotoReleaseonfile.Ø Ifachild/youthdoesnotfeelcomfortablehavingtheirpicturetakenorbeingonfilm,respecttheirprivacy.Ø Besensitivewhenpostinganyimagesofchildren/youth.
Ø Alwaysbeawareofwhereaconversationmightgobetweenyou&achild/youthorbetweenchildren/youth.Steerconversationsappropriately.Ø Discouragenamecalling,foullanguage&otherverbalattacksbetweenchildren/youth.Anylanguagethatmakesanotherfeelembarrassed,worthlessorunlovedisconsideredbullying&isnotokay.Ø Encouragechildren/youthtoresolvetheirdifferencesamongstthemselvesbeforesteppingintomediate.Ø DisagreementsbetweenvolunteersornegativeordisparagingremarksaboutothervolunteersshouldNEVERoccurinfrontofchildren/youth.Trytoresolvedifferencesafterthegrouporeventisdone.Ifaresolutioncannotbeagreedupon,contactastaffpersontohelpmediate.
Ø Prolongedbackrubs,massages,kissingorsimilarcontactisnotallowed.Ø Hugsshouldbeinitiatedbychildren/youth,notadults.Ø Sidehugsshouldbeusedwheneverpossible.Ø Handshakesarelessthreateningthanhugsforolderchildren/youth.Ø Rememberchildren/youthareoftenshyabouttellingadults“No,”especiallysincetheyaretaughttorespecttheirelders&oftengetintroublefortellingadults“No.”
Ø Beawareofeachchild/youth’slevelofcomfortwithphysicalboundaries&actaccordingly.
Ø Sexualharassmentisanyunwantedsexualadvanceordemand,eitherverbalorphysical,thatisreasonablyperceivedbytherecipientasdemeaning,intimidating,orcoercive.Ø Avoidcommentsorcomplimentsofapersonalnatureunlessyouaresurehowtheywillbereceived.
Ø ThekeyfactorinsexualharassmentisPERCEPTION.
Ø Beagoodexample–treateveryonewithrespect.Ø Askyourself:
• “WouldIactthiswayifmychild,youthorsignificantotherwaspresent?”• “WouldIwantsomeonetoactthiswaytomychild,youthorsignificantother?”• “Ifthechild/youth’sparentswerewatchingwouldtheythinkitwasinappropriate?”• Isthereequalparticipationbetweenyou&thepersonyouareinteractingwith?Ifnot,backaway.
Ø Readother’sverbal&physicalcues.Ø Whenindoubt,backaway!Ø Itisnottheintentthatmatters,itishowitisreceivedthatistheissue.
Ø Verbal&physicalabuseofourvolunteersbychildren/youthisjustasunacceptableasabusetowardschildren/youth.Ø Ifyoufeelyourboundariesarebeingviolatedbyachild/youthoranothervolunteer,contactastaffpersonorthepastorassoonaspossibleaftertheincidenthasoccurred.
Ø Drivingchildren/youthisagreatresponsibility.Ø Driversmustbeatleast25yearsold.Ø Driversmustbeachurchmemberforatleast6months.Ø Driver’smusthaveacurrentDriverForm,acopyofcurrentlicense&acopyofcurrentinsuranceonfiletoparticipateintransportingchildren/youth.Ø DriversareresponsibleforlettingtheSafeSanctuariesAdministrators,theYouthDirectororPastorknowiftheirlicensebecomessuspendedorrevoked,iftheyreceiveaticketforadrivingoffenseoriftheirautoinsurancelapses.NOTE:Ticketsforminoroffencesarenotautomaticdisqualifiers.
Ø Overnighters&tripsareaprivilege,notaright.Children/youthviolatingtherulesmaybepreventedfromfutureoutings&maybeaskedtoreturnhomeearlyattheirparents’expense.Ø Writtenpermission&medicalconsentformsmustbecompletedbylegalguardianspriortothetripforallchildren/youth.Ø Inthecaseofovernightevents,males&femalesmusthaveseparatesleepingareas.Atnotimeshallanadultshareabed,sleepingbag,blanketorpillowwithaminor.Ø Males&femalesmustalsobatheinseparateareasoratdifferenttimes.Atnotimeshouldanadultbathewithchildren/youth.Ø Ifagroupdecidestosplitup,thereshouldbeatleastoneadultaccompanyingeachgroup.Nochild/youthshouldbeallowedtogooffontheirownorwithagroupofotherchildren/youth,evenifoneofthemembersofthegroupis18yearsold.
Ø Workingwithchildren&youthisagreatprivilege.Ø Ifthatprivilegeisviolatedyouwillberemovedfromcontactwithchildren&youth.
Weknowthisisalotofinformation.Pleasefeelfreetocontactanyofthefollowingministryleaderswithanyquestionsorconcernsyoumayhave:
YouthDirectorSafeSanctuaryTeamLeader(SSTL)
Pastor
Ø MakesureyouprintyourselfacopyoftheSafeSanctuaryVolunteerHandbookfromthewebsite.Thiswillproveinvaluableinyourministrywithchildren/youth.Allrules,procedures&somehelpfulinfo.&tipscanbefoundinit.Ifyoudonothaveaccesstoaprinter,wewillbehappytoprovideyouwithacopy.Ø Print&takethequizfromthelinkprovidedatwww.herefordumc.com&returnittotheofficeinpersonorviamail.Ifyouhaveproblemsaccessingthelink,stopbythefrontofficeforapapercopyore-mailoneoftheSafeSanctuaryAdministratorslistedinthePowerPoint.