RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS/ADMISSIONS; OR CRIMINAL CHARGES
Persons who admit to or plead guilty to or are convicted in a court of law of any form of physical or sexual abuse of a child/youth will be immediately, permanently, and completely disqualified by the Safe Sanctuary Committee from working with children/youth in the congregation. Persons who admit to a Pastor or any member of the Safe Sanctuary Committee any type of physical or sexual abuse of a child/youth but who have not appeared in a court of law will be disqualified from working with children/youth in the congregation.
Allegations of sexual or physical abuse of anyone shall disqualify any person from working with children/youth until an investigation is completed. If an arrest has been made and charges filed by the police for any violent crime, including any physical or sexual abuse of anyone, the volunteer or staff person will be immediately removed from any susceptible environments with children or vulnerable populations until the investigation and legal process are complete. This serves not only as protection to children and vulnerable others but also as protection for the person alleged to have transgressed, as such a person is often highly vulnerable to accusations of inappropriate conduct based on perception of risk, which may or may not be well- founded.
The Safe Sanctuary Committee may temporarily or permanently disqualify any person(s) from working with children/youth, as the committee deems appropriate.
Violations of Child Protection Policy
Alleged violations of the policy, other than abuse, shall be immediately reported to the Safe Sanctuary Committee who will report it to the Pastor and the Leadership Team, if deemed appropriate. The Safe Sanctuary Committee will investigate the alleged violations of the policy. If a person(s) is found to be in violation of the policy, the Safe Sanctuary Committee will determine what disqualification or disciplinary action, if any, is necessary.
If Allegations were not Abuse, but a Demonstration of Poor Judgment :
1. The Leadership Team will hold the offender responsible and accountable for the behavior. Grace and mercy are extended in the context of repentance, accountability and justice.
2. Education and/or counseling will be expected to correct unhealthy behavior patterns.
3. The church may consider helping with the cost of sessions as an extension of the church ministry.
4. The offender will be removed from susceptible environments for a stated period of time, and not function in any supervisory capacity over children and youth for at least one year, after which an evaluation determining fitness for this ministry should be made by the Leadership Team. The second such occurrence of demonstration of “poor judgment” will result in the individual being precluded from any future ministry with children.
5. Communicate action taken with complainant and congregation as needed.
Persons who admit to or plead guilty to or are convicted in a court of law of any form of physical or sexual abuse of a child/youth will be immediately, permanently, and completely disqualified by the Safe Sanctuary Committee from working with children/youth in the congregation. Persons who admit to a Pastor or any member of the Safe Sanctuary Committee any type of physical or sexual abuse of a child/youth but who have not appeared in a court of law will be disqualified from working with children/youth in the congregation.
Allegations of sexual or physical abuse of anyone shall disqualify any person from working with children/youth until an investigation is completed. If an arrest has been made and charges filed by the police for any violent crime, including any physical or sexual abuse of anyone, the volunteer or staff person will be immediately removed from any susceptible environments with children or vulnerable populations until the investigation and legal process are complete. This serves not only as protection to children and vulnerable others but also as protection for the person alleged to have transgressed, as such a person is often highly vulnerable to accusations of inappropriate conduct based on perception of risk, which may or may not be well- founded.
The Safe Sanctuary Committee may temporarily or permanently disqualify any person(s) from working with children/youth, as the committee deems appropriate.
Violations of Child Protection Policy
Alleged violations of the policy, other than abuse, shall be immediately reported to the Safe Sanctuary Committee who will report it to the Pastor and the Leadership Team, if deemed appropriate. The Safe Sanctuary Committee will investigate the alleged violations of the policy. If a person(s) is found to be in violation of the policy, the Safe Sanctuary Committee will determine what disqualification or disciplinary action, if any, is necessary.
If Allegations were not Abuse, but a Demonstration of Poor Judgment :
1. The Leadership Team will hold the offender responsible and accountable for the behavior. Grace and mercy are extended in the context of repentance, accountability and justice.
2. Education and/or counseling will be expected to correct unhealthy behavior patterns.
3. The church may consider helping with the cost of sessions as an extension of the church ministry.
4. The offender will be removed from susceptible environments for a stated period of time, and not function in any supervisory capacity over children and youth for at least one year, after which an evaluation determining fitness for this ministry should be made by the Leadership Team. The second such occurrence of demonstration of “poor judgment” will result in the individual being precluded from any future ministry with children.
5. Communicate action taken with complainant and congregation as needed.
