CHILD ABUSE AS DEFINED UNDER PA CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW
Although this policy focuses primarily on child sexual abuse, all forms of child abuse are prohibited, and are included under this policy. Definitions of abuse from the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL [Title 23 PA.C.S. Chapter 63], are as follows:
A) Any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes non-accidental serious physical injury to a child.
· Seious bodily injury means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of function of any bodily member or organ.
· Serious physical injury means an injury that causes a child severe pain or significantly impairs a child's physical functioning, either temporarily or permanently.
B) An act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes non-accidental serious mental injury to a child.
Serious mental injury means a psychological condition, as diagnosed by a physician or licensed psychologist, including the refusal of appropriate treatment, that:
· Renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic, or in reasonable fear that his or her life or safety is threatened
· Seriously interferes with a child's ability to accomplish age-appropriate development and social tasks.
C) Sexual Abuse or Exploitation:
(1) The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
(2) The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in simulation of sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depiction, including photographing, videotaping, computer depicting, and filming. It also includes any of the following offenses committed against a child: rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation.
D) Endangering welfare of children: a recent act, failure to act or series of the acts or failures to act by a perpetrator which creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury to, or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child. A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years of age, or a person that employs or supervises such a person, commits an offense if he/she knowingly endangers the welfare of the child by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.
E) Serious physical neglect by a perpetrator constituting prolonged or repeated lack of supervision or the failure to provide the essentials of life, including adequate medical care, which endangers a child’s life or development or impairs the child’s functioning.
· A child will not be deemed to be physically or mentally abused based on injuries that result solely from environmental factors that are beyond the control of the parent or person responsible for the child’s welfare, such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing and medical care. Any recent act or failure to act is defined as occurring within the last two years.
Terms Used in this Policy
Child or Youth – any person considered a minor under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that is, a person who is under 18 years of age.
Pastor – a minister called, licensed or ordained for LSMC.
Safe Sanctuary Committee (SSC) – Implements and enforces the Child Protection Policy.
Approved Adult – anyone 18 years or older who has satisfied the requirements of the Child Protection Policy. An Approved Adult can be an employee or a non-employee of the congregation. Approved Adults include, but are not limited to:
a. All employed staff
b. Christian Education Teachers/Assistants
c. Children’s Christian Ed Coordinator, Junior Church Leaders, Teachers and Volunteers
d. Day Camp Coordinator, Teachers and Assistants
e. Nursery Assistants and Volunteers
f. Youth Group Leaders, Assistants and Chaperones
g. Safe Sanctuary Committee Members
h. All other persons who work directly with children and/or youth
Youth Volunteer – anyone 16 years or over with approval by the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator and who works under the supervision of two Approved Adults.
Teaching Assistant/Helper/Adult Volunteer – a person who may or may not be a member of the congregation and who has a specific talent or experience to share with children/youth at a particular event/class. A teaching assistant’s opportunity is temporary and must be supervised by Approved Adults.
Although this policy focuses primarily on child sexual abuse, all forms of child abuse are prohibited, and are included under this policy. Definitions of abuse from the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (CPSL [Title 23 PA.C.S. Chapter 63], are as follows:
A) Any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes non-accidental serious physical injury to a child.
· Seious bodily injury means bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of function of any bodily member or organ.
· Serious physical injury means an injury that causes a child severe pain or significantly impairs a child's physical functioning, either temporarily or permanently.
B) An act or failure to act by a perpetrator which causes non-accidental serious mental injury to a child.
Serious mental injury means a psychological condition, as diagnosed by a physician or licensed psychologist, including the refusal of appropriate treatment, that:
· Renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic, or in reasonable fear that his or her life or safety is threatened
· Seriously interferes with a child's ability to accomplish age-appropriate development and social tasks.
C) Sexual Abuse or Exploitation:
(1) The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in sexually explicit conduct.
(2) The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of a child to engage in or assist another individual to engage in simulation of sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depiction, including photographing, videotaping, computer depicting, and filming. It also includes any of the following offenses committed against a child: rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, sexual abuse, or sexual exploitation.
D) Endangering welfare of children: a recent act, failure to act or series of the acts or failures to act by a perpetrator which creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury to, or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child. A parent, guardian, or other person supervising the welfare of a child less than 18 years of age, or a person that employs or supervises such a person, commits an offense if he/she knowingly endangers the welfare of the child by violating a duty of care, protection, or support.
E) Serious physical neglect by a perpetrator constituting prolonged or repeated lack of supervision or the failure to provide the essentials of life, including adequate medical care, which endangers a child’s life or development or impairs the child’s functioning.
· A child will not be deemed to be physically or mentally abused based on injuries that result solely from environmental factors that are beyond the control of the parent or person responsible for the child’s welfare, such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing and medical care. Any recent act or failure to act is defined as occurring within the last two years.
Terms Used in this Policy
Child or Youth – any person considered a minor under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that is, a person who is under 18 years of age.
Pastor – a minister called, licensed or ordained for LSMC.
Safe Sanctuary Committee (SSC) – Implements and enforces the Child Protection Policy.
Approved Adult – anyone 18 years or older who has satisfied the requirements of the Child Protection Policy. An Approved Adult can be an employee or a non-employee of the congregation. Approved Adults include, but are not limited to:
a. All employed staff
b. Christian Education Teachers/Assistants
c. Children’s Christian Ed Coordinator, Junior Church Leaders, Teachers and Volunteers
d. Day Camp Coordinator, Teachers and Assistants
e. Nursery Assistants and Volunteers
f. Youth Group Leaders, Assistants and Chaperones
g. Safe Sanctuary Committee Members
h. All other persons who work directly with children and/or youth
Youth Volunteer – anyone 16 years or over with approval by the Safe Sanctuary Coordinator and who works under the supervision of two Approved Adults.
Teaching Assistant/Helper/Adult Volunteer – a person who may or may not be a member of the congregation and who has a specific talent or experience to share with children/youth at a particular event/class. A teaching assistant’s opportunity is temporary and must be supervised by Approved Adults.
