Safe Sanctuaries Policy
Bethlehem
United
Greenwood
,
The
General Conference of The United Methodist Church, in April 1996, adopted
a resolution aimed at eliminating any potential for child sexual abuse in
the church. The adopted resolution includes the following statement:
Jesus
said, "Whoever welcomes a child welcomes me." (Matthew 18:5).
Children are our present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our
inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and in
the realm of God.
Jesus also said, "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of
these little ones..., it would be better for you if a great millstone were
fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the
sea." (Matthew 18:6) 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." (para. 162C)
Tragically, churches have not always been safe places for children. Child
sexual abuse, exploitation and ritual abuse (ritual abuse refers to
abusive acts committed as part of ceremonies or rites; ritual abusers are
often related to cults, or pretend to be) occur in churches, both 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 members 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
Thus,
in covenant with all United Methodist congregations,
Purpose
Our
purpose for establishing this Child Abuse Prevention Policy and
accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our total and unwavering
commitment to the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of all our
children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
Covenant
Statement
Staff
Selection Policies
All volunteer and paid staff who work with children and youth
at BUMC will be:
16 years
old.
At least 5
years older than the oldest child/youth they will be supervising.
A member of
BUMC for at least 6 months.
All volunteer and paid staff who work with children and youth
at BUMC will:
Complete
and sign an application and the related waivers giving permission to check
references and background information.
Provide the
names and contact information of 3 personal references.
Undergo a
criminal background check at no expense if they will have supervisory
program responsibility for children/youth.
Individuals who have been convicted of physical or sexual abuse or
neglect may not work in any church-sponsored activity or program for
preschoolers, children, youth or vulnerable adults.
Staff
Supervision Guidelines
Whenever
supervising activities involving children and youth at BUMC,
Children
and youth will be checked in to and out of a church sponsored activity by
their parent or legal guardian or people authorized by parent/legal
guardian.
They will have
access to a telephone, cell phone or pager when groups are at or away from
the church facility
One-on-one interactions with
children and youth will be with an open door and visibility to all.
Whenever
BUMC sponsors an activity involving children or youth,
Anyone has
the right to visit and observe the children’s/youth activity, classroom,
or church-sponsored program at any time, unannounced.
All classroom and office doors will have a
window, or video camera allowing monitoring and or video recording or
visibility from hallway or remain open while occupied.
Windows will be kept free from anything
compromising a clear view through them
Whenever
BUMC transports children or youth away from the church campus,
No youth
whenever possible should drive to/from events
Adults
whenever possible should never transport child/youth by self
Approved
and covered by church’s insurance company
Drivers
should go through same screening process as all other paid/volunteer staff
Whenever
BUMC hosts an activity involving children or youth from another church or
community organization,
The groups using the church facility will
follow BUMC's Safe Sanctuaries policies and procedures
BUMC volunteer and paid
staff will be given the opportunity to attend training about
Safe Sanctuary
policies, procedures and child abuse issues on a regular basis.
If a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect occurs at
or is revealed to a volunteer/paid staff person at a BUMC sponsored
activity, the adult in charge of the activity will:
Insure the
safety of the child or youth
Call the
church pastor or designee
Call the County
Conclusion
In all of our ministries with children, youth, and vulnerable
adults, this congregation is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus
Christ so that each child, youth and vulnerable adult will be
“surrounded by steadfast love…established in the faith and confirmed
and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal." (Baptismal
Covenant II, United Methodist Book
of Worship, p.96).