Safe Sanctuary/Child Protection Policies & Procedures
October 2007

Introduction:
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 present and our future, our hope, our teachers, our inspiration. They are full participants in the life of the church and the realm of God. 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, emotional and sexual exploitation and abuse.

Purpose:
Our congregation’s purpose for establishing this Child Protection Policy and accompanying procedures is to demonstrate our absolute and unwavering commitment to the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of all the children and youth God has entrusted to our care. It is not based on a lack of trust in workers, but are intended to protect our children, youth, workers, volunteers and the entire church body.

Scope of Policy:
The following policy and its provisions shall apply to all persons including all paid and unpaid workers, whether lay or clergy who have direct or indirect contact with children and youth who participate in any activities or events sponsored by this church.

Statement of Policy:
Therefore, as a Christian community of faith and a Texas United Methodist Church, FFAUMC pledges to conduct the ministry of the gospel in ways that assure the safety and spiritual growth of all children and youth entrusted to us. It is our policy to:

• Follow reasonable safety measures in the selection and recruitment of workers.

• Implement prudent operational procedures and supervision in all programs and events.
• Educate all of our workers with children and youth about sexual abuse, harassment or misconduct, and our policies and procedures.
• Have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of state law.
• Educate the FFAUMC congregation, especially the parents of children and youth and the volunteers/employees who work with them.
• Be prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident occurs.

Definitions of Abuse

1. Verbal abuse- Words that humiliate degrades or threatens any child or youth.
2. Physical Abuse- Any act of omission, or an act that endangers a person’s physical or mental health. In the case of child or youth physical abuse, this definition includes any intentional physical injury by the individual’s caretaker. Physical abuse may result from punishment that is overly punitive or inappropriate to the individual’s age or condition. In addition, physical abuse may result from purposeful acts that pose serious danger to the physical health of the child or youth.
3. Sexual Abuse- Child or youth sexual abuse is the sexual exploitation or use of same for satisfaction of sexual drives. This includes, but is not limited to: 1) incest, 2) rape, 3) prostitution, 4) romantic involvement with any participant, 5) any sexual intercourse, or sexual conduct with, or fondling of an individual enrolled as a child or youth in sponsored activities of this church, 6) sexualized behavior that communicates sexual interest and/or content. Examples are not limited to: displaying sexually suggestive visual materials, making sexual comments or innuendo about one’s own or another person’s body, touching another person’s body, hair or clothing, touching or rubbing oneself in the presence of another person, kissing and sexual intercourse.(#6 taken from Resolution #30, Book of Resolutions 2000).


Follow reasonable measures in the selection and recruitment of workers/volunteers:

• All leaders with children and youth shall have been active members of First Filipino American United Methodist Church for at least six months prior to their taking responsibilities in our ministries.
• If a volunteer applicant is someone who has not been known by the church family for at least six months, he/she will be required to provide a written recommendation from the senior pastor at the church most previously attended or written recommendations from two persons, not related to the applicant who have been members of FFAUMC for at least one year. A criminal background check will be done if deemed necessary by the Pastor, the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Administrative/Church Council.

Implement prudent operational procedures and supervision in all programs and events:
In order to protect our children and youth and the volunteers working with them, the following procedures are to be followed:

• No child will be left unsupervised while attending FFAUMC’s children’s activities.

• When possible, two adults, who are not related, shall be present at all times during any church-sponsored program, event or ministry involving children younger than 12 years of age. If this is not possible, the activities in the room must be visible through a glass window or an open door. An adult is anyone 18 years of age or older.
• Any one-to-one mentoring or consulting shall be conducted in sight of another adult.
• Only one adult leader may be present in activities involving children and youth 12 years and older as long as there are two or more children or youth in the group.
• For church-sponsored programs involving teenagers, the adult leader who will be present and assume primary responsibility shall be at least 5 years older than the oldest participant in the program.
• Understanding that there is safety in numbers, one adult can be present with multiple youth (6^th- 12^th grade) so long as they are in line of sight of other adults.
• Transportation to and from church-sponsored events outside the church premises involving children and youth shall be the responsibility of the parents or guardians.
• Obtain parental permission slips in all church sponsored activities outside the premises of FFAUMC. All adult leaders/volunteers and youth volunteers must have attended a safe sanctuary/sexual ethics training, and shall have the approval of the Pastor, and the Administrative Council.
• For all events that require overnight accommodations, at least two adults shall be present in every room. When staying in a hotel, adults shall sleep in separate rooms from the children/youth; if it is necessary for the children/youth to share a room with an adult, the adult shall sleep in a separate bed from the children or youth. One adult, who is not a parent/guardian, shall not be alone in a room with any child or youth.
• At least one adult trained in Infant, Child and Adult Basic Life Support/CPR shall be present during all church-sponsored events.

Provide for FFAUMC employees and volunteers adequate training on Safe Sanctuary and the implementation of our policies and procedures:

• Safe Sanctuary Training shall be provided annually to all church staff, leaders, and volunteers in activities involving children and youth. Training shall be conducted by the Pastor, the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee and the Education Committee, which include the recognition of the signs and prevention of sexual abuse, this policy and procedures, appropriate discipline, appropriate physical and emotional boundaries, and leader misconduct as described in this policy. All new employees or volunteers will receive training before working with children and youth.

Reporting of Incidents:

1. A quick, compassionate and unified response to an alleged incident of child abuse is expected. All allegations will be taken seriously. When a volunteer, worker or an adult leader suspects that an abuse is taking or has taken place, the following procedure must be followed:

• Immediately remove the accused individual with dignity from further contact with the children and/or youth for their safety and well being, until an appropriate investigation has taken place and the incident has been resolved.
• Ensure the privacy of the alleged victim and address any needs he/she may have, medical or otherwise, and notify the parents or guardian.
• Treat the individuals involved with dignity and respect, and maintain confidentiality.
• Notify the Pastor immediately. If not available, notify the chairperson of the Administrative/Church Council; and if not available, notify the chairperson of the Pastor/Staff Parish Relations Committee.
• Complete an incident report (see attachment). Conversations with the alleged victim shall be documented with confidentiality and accuracy, being careful to use open-ended questions.

2. Upon notification, the Pastor or the chairpersons of the Administrative/Church Council or P/SPRC shall take the following steps:

• Immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency and/or the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (800-252-5400) and cooperate fully with the investigation. If the alleged perpetrator is an appointee of the Bishop, notify the District Superintendent and the Bishop of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.

• Notify FFAUMC’s lawyer.

• Notify FFAUMC’s insurance agent.

• Keep an accurate documentation of each step taken, including times and dates.

• If necessary, give a brief, carefully worded statement regarding the incident to the congregation, withholding the names of the alleged victim and the accused.

• Serve as or designate the news media liaison for FFAUMC.

3. The Pastor, Staff/ Parish Relations Committee and the Administrative/Church Council have no investigative or disciplinary role since cases involving minors is governed by local, state and federal laws; however, they shall continue to be consulted and involved regarding the effects any actions may have on the families involved and on the life of the FFAUMC community of faith.

4. It should be the goal to provide supportive care to both the victim and the accused, and to restore them to wholeness. Supportive care can include the procedures of the criminal justice system, provisions of the current Book of Discipline, appropriate counseling referrals, and continued pastoral support.

5. Confirmed reports of proven incidents of abuse shall be retained in a confidential file for future screening purposes.


Educate parents and others in our congregation of our policies and procedures

• FFAUMC shall make the policy and procedures available to all members and friends of the congregation.

Media Response:
If investigations or allegations of abuse should come to the attention of the media, a response shall come from a designated church spokesperson. Refer all inquiries to the spokesperson. Do not give out any information; simply state that all inquiries will be answered by the spokesperson.

Appropriate Discipline
Children and youth should be made aware that appropriate behavior is expected at all events. Gentle reminders are always necessary when dealing with children and adult. When these reminders don’t work, then discipline needs to move to the next step. In cases where behavior has to be addressed, the designated event adults should handle it. In no case is physical discipline an appropriate measure to deal with problems. A reasonable response might include a period of “time-out” for the child or youth. This should be done with necessary supervision keeping the safe sanctuary guidelines in mind.

Keeping parents involved is important. They need to be kept up to date of their child’s behavior. For serious offenses, the appropriate response will be to send the child or youth home immediately. Parents and the leaders will help make proper arrangements.

Appropriate Physical and Emotional Boundaries
Physical boundaries are most important in dealing with children and youth. Persons working with children and youth have to understand and respect those boundaries. Obviously these boundaries change as children grow older. A young child sitting on the lap of a caregiver is most appropriate, whereas an older child or youth sitting on an adult’s lap would not be acceptable. Hugs and kisses from a toddler to an adult are entirely different from hugs and kisses from a youth.

Emotional boundaries are also important. As a child grows older it is important for the adult to maintain appropriate boundaries in relationships. It is important for those working with children and youth not to step outside of those lines, and allow the younger person to become too attached to them. It is important for the older person to be careful where conversations might lead to and steer clear of inappropriate talk. When an adult recognizes that there might be an issue with these boundaries, great space should be allowed to come between him/her and the child or youth in question. If that does not solve the problem, then the event leadership should address the issue.

Leader Misconduct
It is a privilege to work with children and youth. Great responsibility is required. Those who violate this policy shall immediately be removed from any contact with children and youth and appropriate authorities shall be notified immediately, following the provisions of this policy and procedures.

Spiritual Boundaries
As we seek to lead young people in the development of their faith history, it is essential that we guide them and do not manipulate their emotions. This is especially true at long youth’s/ children’s events. The attendees may be exhausted by longer and more active days than they are accustomed to and thereby more susceptible to manipulation. It is therefore necessary that, as we present the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the opportunity to follow Jesus in a life-long journey, we present the invitation with “no-strings-attached.” We must allow each person involved to make their own decisions without stigma, coercion, or pressure in any form. As we do this faithfully, we will see more fruitful commitments in the lives of all participants.

Implementation:
1. This policy and procedures shall be adopted October 8, 2007 for all church-related activities.
2. The Safe Sanctuary Policy and Procedures shall be distributed to all employees, officers of the Administrative/Church Council and volunteers upon implementation.
3. Copies of the First Filipino American United Methodist Church Policy on Safe Sanctuary shall be available through the church office and the FFAUMC website - www.FFAUMC.com.
4. A copy of this policy and procedures will be kept on file at the Southwest District Office of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.