Safe Sanctuary Safe Sanctuary Safe Sanctuary Safe Sanctuary

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Liz BowlinDirector of Children’s MinistryNorth Alabama Conference UMC205-363-1963 (c)lbowlin@umcna.org

Why Needed1. Biblical Mandate

Mark 9:36-37Matt. 18:6

2. Conference Mandate (1996)

3. Open hearts, open doors

PurposeProtect children

Protect volunteers

Protect the ministry

Definitions1. Child/minor2. Employee3. Volunteer4. Child abuse5. Sexual abuse

Sexual Abuseany touching of the sexual or intimate parts of a child or any other conduct done for the

purposeof gratifying the sexual desire of either party through physical force or a threat, express or

implied, that places a child in fear of immediate death or of physical injury by a person 18 years old or older against another who is less than 16 years old, or by a person four or more years older than the victim.

Statistics3 million reported cases a year8,219 a day342 per hour> 8 per minute> 1 every 15 seconds

Source: National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect

Rates

By age 18• 1 in every 3 girls,• 1 in every 7 boys

is sexually abused.

Source: National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect

POLICY GUIDELINES

Minimum Age

Youth Leaders:at least 19 yrs old> 5 years older

Children’s Leaders:at least 18 yrs. old

Minimum Age

Youth and Children’s Helpers:at least 12 yrs old.>5 yrs older

Two Adult Rule

• 2 non-related leaders in a room

• Use floater if needed

Doors and

Windows

Sign in – Sign out Procedures

• www.kidcheck.com• www.lambslist.com• www.excellerate.com• www.childrenschurchcheckin.com• www.ministrytracker.com

6 MonthRule

Exceptions to the Rule

• helper with a “cleared” volunteer in leadership

• non-child contact job• “quick-cleared”

Teacher:Student Ratios• Birth to 18 months 1 : 5• 18 mons. to 2 ½ yrs 1 : 7• 2 ½ yrs to 4 yrs 1 : 11• 4 yrs to school age 1 : 18• School age to 8 yrs 1 : 21• 8 yrs and older 1 : 28

Potty Policy• Diapering – open, visible area

• Supervised Independence – let them ask

• Complete privacy – unless an emergency; get parents if needed

• Check the bathroom first!

Overnight• Never share a bed with a child

• Never be alone in a room with a child

• Adults must be of the same gender as the students they are chaperoning.

Hotel Settings• Adults should never be in a room

with just one child.

• Doors should open to a hallway

• Adjoining rooms are best

Cabin Setting

2 adults in a large room with multiple bunk beds

Church-Owned Vehicles

• Screening and training of drivers

• Proper insurance

• 2 adult rule

• Keep passenger records on board

Personal Vehicles

• 2 adult rule exception: Caravan

• Youth driving other youth

• Youth driving themselves

The Obvious

• Never counsel the opposite sex behind closed doors.

• Never visit children and youth home alone

• Watch your dress, language, ATF activities

Recruiting/ScreeningFor Staff AND Volunteers :

• Application

• Three references

• Criminal background check

• Safe Sanctuary training

Background Checks

• Criminal not credit

• Employment Screening Services www.es2.com

• www.northalabamaumc.org/safesanctuary

Reporting

• Voluntary for faith based ministry volunteers but highly encouraged by the Conference

• Mandatory for Pastors so alert those you counsel of your obligation

Reporting Rubric

Secure safety of victim

Report to immediate director or pastor (SPRC Chair)

Pray and set a guard over your lips

Q and A