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Child Maltreatment Prevention Policy

printable version of this policy

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Wheeling, West Virginia
Approved August 13, 2008

Rationale

Building on the Biblical mandate to build the loving community of God and to care for the Òleast of theseÓ, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Wheeling, West Virginia strives to assure that all church ministries and activities are safe for children and youth. This policy is designed to provide an initial framework for that safe and caring environment. It is not designed to impair relationships but to provide guidelines that will ensure trusting relationships.

But you do see! Indeed you note trouble and grief, that you may take it into your hands; the helpless commit themselves to you; you have been the helper of the orphan. Psalm 10:14

May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars, cut for the building of a palace...May there be no breach in the walls, no exile and no cry of distress in our streets. Psalm 144: 12, 14b

ÒIf any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the sea.Ó Matthew 18: 6 NRSV

Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Matthew 18: 5 NRSV

As God works through the talents and resources we generously offer we see a future for our church and our community where children will be nurtured and have more opportunities to succeed. First Christian Church Vision Statement, adopted March 19, 2006

Definitions

For the purposes of this policy, the following are the definitions of key terms:

Maltreatment refers and includes but is not limited to physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse of children

Adults refers to individuals who are 18-years or older.

Youth refers to individuals who are at least 15-years and are not yet adults.

Children refers to individuals younger than 15-years old.

Policy

For the purpose of child maltreatment prevention, it is the policy of the First Christian Church of Wheeling, West Virginia that all individuals who work with or minister to children and youth under the auspices of the church will adhere to the following policies:

General Practices
A minimum of two adults, or one adult and one youth trained in Safeguarding GodÕs Children or its equivalent, will supervise every group of children. Except in an emergency situation, no adult will be left with sole responsibility for a group of children. This includes, but is not limited to, Sunday School classes, youth groups, and out-of-the church trips.
All adults or youth working directly with children or youth will have completed the Safeguarding GodÕs Children training or its equivalent.
All areas used for childrenÕs and youth ministries including individual sessions with the minister or others will remain visible to others in the area either through glass or an open door. Under no circumstances is it acceptable for a childrenÕs or youthÕs group to be behind closed doors with no visual contact possible by others.
The Education Committee has oversight for the continuous assessment of risks of child maltreatment both at the church building and at off-site ministries of the church.
Posters describing how suspicions of child maltreatment can be reported will be posted in multiple and conspicuous areas of the church building especially near childrenÕs classrooms and other areas where parents are likely to see them. This policy will also be posted in multiple and conspicuous areas of the church building.
The Safeguarding God's Children training or its equivalent, will be offered to members, friends, and community of the church on an ongoing basis at least every two-months. The purpose of this practice is to maintain an educated church family who practices the Biblical values of caring for children and youth.

Requirements for those who work with youth and children
For the purpose of child maltreatment prevention, those working directly with children or youth and all staff regardless of their level of contact with children, will complete the following prior to the start of their service:
A completed application which lists three references. The references will be contacted and a summary of the reference check will be kept in a confidential file in the church office.
A completed request to the appropriate law enforcement entity for a criminal background check. The results of the background check will be kept in a confidential file in the church office.
Completion of Safeguarding GodÕs Children or its equivalent as determined by the Education Committee.

The committee responsible for hiring the employee or the committee to whom the church volunteer is responsible will also conduct and document a search of the Sexual Predator Database in any state in which the individual has resided in the last seven years. These items must be checked on each individual at least once every seven years.

Protocol for Reporting Suspected Child and/or Youth Maltreatment

An individual who has suspicions or concerns about the possible maltreatment of a child or youth will report their concerns to one of the following individuals:

Child Safety Officer, who will notify the Elders of a concern as soon as is reasonably possible. The Education Committee Chair, or another appropriate individual as designated by the Education Committee functions as the churchÕs Child Safety Officer.

An Elder, who will notify the Child Safety Officer and Pastor as soon as is reasonably possible.

Pastor, who will notify the Child Safety Officer and the Elders as soon as is reasonably possible.

*In the event the suspicion involves one of the above individuals, they will not be notified as part of this protocol.

Once a report is made to the church representatives, the Child Safety Officer will gather, document, and evaluate information, and either report a suspicion of child maltreatment or cause a report of suspicion of child maltreatment be made to the appropriate authorities. The Pastor is a legally-mandated reporter and is obligated to report reasonable suspicion of abuse and neglect. Should the pastor be accused, the Elder and/or Child Safety Officer shall evaluate the report, and should it rise to the level of reasonable suspicion, proceed to report the incident to the proper authorities. Note that other individuals who function in the above roles may be members of a profession, e.g.; a teacher or physician, which also makes them a mandated reporter.

Implementation Timeline

Adults who began their service and ministry with children prior to the approval of this policy, will have until January 15, 2009 to complete all aspects of the requirements of this policy. Those who have not been working with children previously will be required to meet the terms of this policy upon its passage.

Guidelines for Behavior of Adults or Youth Working with Children or Youth
Adapted from Model Policies of the Episcopal Church

These Guidelines are based, in large part, on avoiding behaviors known to be used by
child molesters to groom children or youth and their parents for future abuse. The following guidelines are to be carefully followed by all adults or youth working with children or youth.

1. Love and affection are part of church life and ministry. There are many ways to demonstrate affection while maintaining positive and safe boundaries with children and youth.

Some POSITIVE and APPROPRIATE forms of affection are listed below:
- Brief hugs.
- Pats on the shoulder or back.
- Handshakes.
- "High-fives" and hand slapping.
- Verbal praise.
- Touching hands, faces, shoulders and arms of children or youth.
- Arms around shoulders.
- Holding hands while walking with small children.
- Sitting beside small children.
- Kneeling or bending down for hugs with small children.
- Holding hands during prayer.
- Pats on the head when culturally appropriate. (For example, this gesture should typically be avoided in some Asian communities).

The following forms of affection are considered INAPPROPRIATE with children and youth in ministry setting because many of them are the behaviors that child molesters use to groom children or youth and their parents for later molestation or can be, in and of themselves, sexual abuse.

- Inappropriate or lengthy embraces.
- Kisses on the mouth.
- Holding children over three years old on the lap.
- Touching bottoms, chests or genital areas other than for appropriate diapering or toileting of infants and toddlers.
- Showing affection in isolated areas such as bedrooms, closets, staff only areas or other private rooms.
- Occupying a bed with a child or youth
- Touching knees or legs of children or youth.
- Wrestling with children or youth.
- Tickling children or youth.
- Piggyback rides.
- Any type of massage given by a child or youth to an adult.
- Any type of massage given by an adult to a child or youth.
- Any form of unwanted affection.
- Comments or compliments (spoken, written, or electronic) that relate to physique or body development. Examples would be, "You sure are developing," or "You look really hot in those jeans."
- Snapping bras or giving wedgies or similar touch of underwear whether or not it is covered by other clothing.
- Giving gifts or money to individual children or youth.
Private meals with individual children or youth.