A STATEMENT OF RISK REDUCTION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR WATKINSVILLE FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1. THEOLOGICAL BASIS
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: Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes (a) child...welcomes me” (Matthew 18:5). Children are 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.”
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.” (From the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church 1996).
God places before us the ideal of communities of faith where children as well as adults are safe to grow strong, mentally, physically, and spiritually. God calls us to acknowledge the potential of abuse and to strive to make our churches safe places, seeking to protect children and other vulnerable persons from physical, emotional, sexual, and ritual abuse.
The policy of Watkinsville First United Methodist Church which includes sexual misconduct is set in the framework of what it means to be a sexual person in Christian faith and a servant in the church. Our sexuality, as a dimension of our whole selves, is to be offered to God. In the expression of sexual desires we are called to holiness. God values sexuality as good, blessed and purposeful, as an expression of love and for the procreation of children. Sexuality is a gift to be celebrated. We are called to be responsible in the use of our sexuality and to respect each other as children, women, and men made in the image of God. From this belief in the sacredness of our physical beings, we understand and declare that every person has the right to sexual and bodily integrity.
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist congregations, we adopt this policy as a response to the potential of child abuse in our church.
2. PURPOSE
Our congregation’s purpose for establishing A Statement of Risk Reduction Policies and Procedures is to demonstrate our awareness of the risk of child abuse and our desire to reduce that risk in hopes that we will move closer to the ideal of a safe environment for the physical safety and spiritual growth of all of our children and those vulnerable to abuse.
3. STATEMENT OF COVENANT
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and a United Methodist congregation, we pledge to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that reduce unnecessary risks to the safety and spiritual growth of all of our children, those vulnerable to abuse, as well as all of the workers with these persons. We will follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers. We will implement prudent operational procedures in all programs and events. We will strive to educate all of our workers concerning the rights of individuals, and regarding the use of all appropriate policies and methods (including first aid and methods of discipline). We will have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law.
DEFINITIONS.
As used in this policy the terms set forth below shall have the following definitions:
4. Child - means any person under 18 years of age and may be used interchangeably with the term “minor.”
5. Child Abuse - includes (a) physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by other than accidental means; (b) neglect of a child; (c) sexual abuse of a child; and (d) exploitation, including sexual exploitation of a child.
6. Church - shall refer to the Watkinsville First United Methodist Church.
7. Policy - shall refer to this child abuse prevention policy adopted September 13, 1999 and as it may be amended from time to time.
8. Sexual Abuse - shall have the same meaning as that term is defined by the laws of Georgia. Details and descriptions of these laws will be printed information in the Pastor’s office available for anyone to view on request. These laws will be covered in training.
9. Sexual Exploitation - shall have the same meaning as that term does under the laws of Georgia to include conduct by an adult who allows, permits, encourages, or requires a child to engage in:
10. Prostitution - or
11. Sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual or print medium depicting such conduct.
12. PREVENTION GUIDELINES
In order to implement this policy for reducing the potential of child abuse in our church, the members of the clergy and the staff agree to adhere to the following edicts:
13. Employing Staff - Before any person, who has applied for a position which involves supervising children, is hired, it shall be determined by the person or committee responsible for making the hiring decision that the applicant: (a) is at least 18 years old; (b) has satisfactorily completed the application form; (c) is of good character as determined from their reputation in the community, the church, the character references supplied by the applicant and the results of their criminal background check; (d) possesses the knowledge and skill necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position which they seek; and (e) has been given a copy of this policy and has signed an acknowledgment of receipt and review of this policy.
14. Hiring Hourly Workers - An hourly worker is hired on an hourly basis. Before any hourly worker seeking to work with children or youth is hired it shall be determined by the person or committee responsible for making the hiring decision that the applicant (a) is at least 14 years old and five years older than any child with whom they will be working and if the applicant is between 14 and 15 he/she must present a valid certificate of employment and shall not work for more than four hours in one day (under Georgia law no minor under 12 may be employed); (b) has satisfactorily completed the application form; (c) has successfully completed both first-aid and baby-sitting training courses; (d) is of good character as determined from their reputation in the community, the church, the character references supplied by the applicant and if they are 21 years of age or older the results of their criminal background check; (e) possesses the knowledge and skill to successfully perform the duties of the position which they seek; and (f) has been given a copy of this policy and has signed an acknowledgment of receipt and review of this policy. Any hourly worker under the age of 18 who is hired must be supervised by an employed staff member (part time or greater) who is on the premises.
15. Assessing Volunteers - Before volunteers seeking to serve in a supervisory capacity for children are allowed to begin working with the children it shall be determined by the person or committee responsible, and coordinating volunteers that the volunteer; (a) is at least 12 years old, at least five years older than any child with whom he/she will be working and shall be supervised by an unrelated adult at all times they are working with an child; (c) has regularly attended this church at least six months; (d) has completed a volunteer application: (e) is of good character as determined by their reputation in the community and the church; (f) has signed an affidavit of innocence for volunteers fulfilling on-site responsibilities, or has a favorable criminal background check for volunteers fulfilling overnight off-site responsibilities; and (g) has been given a copy of this policy and has signed an acknowledgment of receipt and review of this policy.
16. Training - Annual training sessions shall be held for all clergy, staff, hired workers, and volunteers to familiarize and/or update them on this policy and procedures required by its implementation. The pastor shall be responsible for coordinating such training sessions, arranging for a convenient time and date for the training sessions to be held, and ensuring that all persons who will serve in a supervisory capacity for children attend at least one training session within one year of the implementation of this policy. Thereafter the staff shall make a good faith effort to ensure that all staff persons supervising children attend a training session concerning this policy before they begin their duties and that all volunteers attend a training session within one year of having supervisory capacity over children. All training sessions shall include, but not be limited to, an explanation and discussion of (a) behaviors which signal possible child abuse; (b) the guidelines developed by this church for reducing the risk of child abuse; (c) procedures for reporting allegations or observations of abuse; (d) procedures in place for responding to any alleged victims, their families, the media, medical personnel, law enforcement officers, child protection agencies, and the alleged abuser; (e) appropriate methods of discipline; and (f) first aid training for all staff.
17. Reports of Alleged Abuse - In the event any allegations of child abuse are made concerning a member of the clergy, staff member, or volunteer while they are involved in any Church related activity, including all outreach ministries, the response of the Church will be guided by the following principles:
18. All allegations will be taken seriously, and immediate emergency care will be sought for the victim if necessary.
19. Anytime an alleged incident of abuse is observed or reported, the person observing the abuse or receiving the report shall fill out a Report of Suspected Incident of Child Abuse, and shall immediately report the incident to the Pastor. If a member of the clergy is accused of abuse, the Chair of the Staff Parish Relations Committee and the District Superintendent shall be notified. Whenever there is reasonable cause to believe an incident of abuse has occurred, the Pastor shall notify the Georgia Department of Family and Children’s Services, the District Superintendent, and the Church’s insurance carrier.
20. The alleged abuser shall be treated with dignity and respect, but he or she shall immediately be removed from further involvement with children until such time as it may be determined that the allegations are groundless. Pastoral needs will be given high priority in the ministry of the Church.
21. Respect for privacy and confidentiality will be maintained in all matters concerning alleged incidents of child abuse. However, the Church will report to and make a good faith effort to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies, and any other criminal or civil authority which may become involved in the investigation and prosecution of any alleged acts of abuse. If it is deemed prudent and necessary, the Church will contact legal counsel to advise it concerning how it should appropriately respond or proceed while any such act of alleged abuse is being investigated or prosecuted. The Church also will follow the disciplinary guidelines set forth in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church paragraphs 345, 2624, and 2626-2627.
22. Victims of alleged acts of child abuse shall include the alleged abused child, the family of the abused, the peers of the abused, and the family of the accused. The needs of all victims will be given high priority in the ministry of the Church.
23. The Pastor shall be the designated spokesperson to address all inquiries of the media or other interested persons. In the event the Pastor is not available, the Chair of the Staff-Parish-Relations Committee shall serve as designated spokesperson. All other person will respond to any inquiries with “No comment.”
24. Educating the Congregation - Because the Church believes that educating our congregation, including the children, helps to prevent children from becoming victims of abuse, the Church will provide educational opportunities to include:
25. Congregation - Presentations and/or handouts shall be designed to develop awareness among the members of our congregation of the problem of child abuse and to make the congregation aware of this policy.
26. Parents and Children - Classes shall be offered which focus on sexuality education and safety which may include topics such as what constitutes child abuse and the signals that may indicate that abuse has occurred, the needs of children in today’s society, how to communicate with your children about their sexuality, and how to respond to your child if they report abuse.
27. Safety Procedures for Church Activities - Because child abusers seek privacy with their victims, the church will implement the following safety procedures for all Church activities involving children:
28. Every effort will be made to have two or more non-related paid or unpaid workers present in all classrooms or activity areas;
29. Clear glass shall be installed in the windows of all doors of rooms used as classrooms for children’s activities or, when feasible, doors or half-doors shall be left open;
30. Uninvited adult visitors will not be allowed to remain in children’s classrooms or activity areas; however, parents are welcome to remain with their child;
31. Children’s programs and activities will not be conducted in areas that are frequented by the general public unless at least two unrelated adults are present at all times to supervise the children; and
32. Parents will be given advance notice and full information regarding all children’s events. Written permission slips will be obtained from parents before any child is allowed to leave Church property as part of a field trip or outreach ministry.
33. Files - All written documents such as results of background checks, affidavits, reports of suspected abuse, etc., will be given to the senior pastor. These reports will be kept in a locked file until they are no longer needed. Confidentiality of these reports will be maintained at all times.
CONCLUSION
In all of our ministries with children and youth, this congregation is committed to demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ so that each child will be “surrounded by steadfast love, established in the faith and confirmed and strengthened in the way that lead to life eternal.”
(Baptismal Covenant II, The United Methodist Hymnal, p. 44)
Adopted by the Church Council of Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, September 13, 1999.
Revised and approved by the Church Council of Watkinsville First United Methodist Church, February 14, 2000.
Revised and approved by the Church Council of Watkinsville First U.M.C., May 12, 2003.
Revised and approved by the Church Council of Watksville First U.M.C., January, 2007
