Safe Sanctuary
Safe Sanctuary Policy
North Charleston United Methodist Church
Adopted October 2008
We are a Safe Sanctuary congregation, committed to safeguarding all children and youth from abuse.
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 call 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 abuse and exploitation in their churches" (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 Methodist Church. pp. 384-386).
Thus, in covenant with all United Methodist Congregations, North Charleston United Methodist Church adopts this policy for the prevention of child abuse in our church.
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 children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
Covenant Statement
North Charleston United Methodist Church hereby pledges to conduct the ministry of Jesus Christ in ways that assure the physical and emotional safety and spiritual growth of all our children and youth as well as all of our workers with children and youth. We will follow reasonable safety measures when selecting and recruiting workers; we will implement prudent operational procedures in all areas of programming and care; we will train our workers with children and youth on our procedures and policies; and we will have a clearly defined procedure for reporting a suspected incident of abuse that conforms to the requirements of South Carolina law.
Staff Selection Policy
All volunteer and paid staff who work with children and youth at North Charleston United Methodist Church will be at least 5 years older than the oldest child or youth they will be supervising.
All volunteer and paid staff who work with children and youth at North Charleston United Methodist Church will:
1. Complete and sign an application and the related waivers giving permission to check references and background information;
2. Provide the names and contact information of 3 personal references;
3. Undergo a criminal background check at no expense, if they will have supervisory program responsibility for children, youth, or vulnerable adults. 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 North Charleston United Methodist Church:
1. Two non-related adults will be present at all times;
2. Children and youth will be checked into and out of a church sponsored activity by their parent or legal guardian or people authorized by their parent or legal guardian;
3. Staff will have access to a telephone, cell phone, or pager when groups are at or away from the church facility;
4. One-on-one interactions with children and youth will be with an open door and visible to all.
Whenever North Charleston United Methodist Church sponsors an activity involving children or youth:
1. Any children or youth activity, classroom, or church sponsored program may be visited and observed at any time unannounced;
2. All classroom and office doors will have a window or visibility from hallway or remain open while occupied;
3. Windows will be kept free from adornment.
Whenever North Charleston United Methodist Church tranports children or youth away from the church campus:
1. No youth should drive to or from events;
2. Adults should never transport a child or a youth by self;
3. Approved and covered by church's insurance company;
4. Drivers should go through same screening process as all other paid or volunteer staff.
Whenever North Charleston United Methodist Church hosts an activity involving children or youth from another church or community organization, the groups using the church facility will follow North Charleston United Methodist Church's Safe Sanctuary policy.
North Charleston United Methodist 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.
Incident Reporting Procedure
If a suspected incident of child abuse or neglect occurs at or is revealed to a volunteer or paid staff person at a North Charleston United Methodist Church sponsored activity, the adult in charge of the activity will:
1. Insure the safety of the child or youth;
2. Call the church pastor or designee;
3. Call the County Office of DSS.
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).