Visitors

Safe Church Policy

The policy which follows is set forth for the protection, safety and well-being of children involved in the life and ministries of St. John’s Episcopal Church. This policy is also for the purpose of ensuring that our Baptismal Vow to "respect the dignity of every human being" is honored and practiced by every member of this parish as we exercise our common life in Jesus Christ. While this policy may be a new necessity in our church, it exists to proclaim that St. John’s shall be a safe haven and sanctuary for all who come to us seeking the comfort and care of God, the truth of His holy gospel and the faith we proclaim in Christ Jesus.

Section 1 – Training

In keeping with Diocesan policy (Oct. 1995), in an effort to increase the physical, emotional and spiritual safety of our parish, a minimum of four hours of specified education regarding child sexual abuse and four hours of specified education regarding adult sexual misconduct in church settings is required for the following persons:

All Clergy canonically resident or licensed
All Wardens
All employees of the congregation (secretaries, sextons, organists, church school directors, and anyone considered an employee for IRS purposes.)
Anyone who regularly supervises youth activities (paid or volunteer), including youth group advisors, day care providers, acolyte trainers, youth choir leaders.

Training is not required by the Diocese, but is strongly recommended for:

Vestry members (especially those with canonical responsibility for finances)
Sunday School teachers
Anyone who sees parishioners in a private setting on behalf of the parish, e.g., Lay Eucharistic Ministers, parish visitors, etc.

The Diocese encourages broad training for all persons in positions of parish leadership.

Criminal Background checks will be conducted on all persons in the parish engaged in ministries with and to children and youth, the elderly, shut-ins, and sick members of the parish, and all persons with responsibility for financial oversight and/or management of parish funds. Persons who have any reason to drive children, youth, or elderly/shut-in members of the parish will also have a Dept. of Motor Vehicles background check. All paid staff members must also have criminal background checks. These background checks will by conducted at the parish's expense through the Diocesan vendor.

The Rector and the Vestry of St. John’s are responsible for the congregation’s compliance with the above Diocesan requirements for training.

As an insured parish of the Diocese of Connecticut, St. John’s shall keep on file a list of those parishioners/employees who have completed the education, signed by each person who has attended. A report form shall be completed for the Diocese as part of the Annual Parochial Report.

Section 2 – Church School and Youth Ministry

Only members of St. John’s shall work as volunteers with the children of the parish.
There shall be a six-month waiting period for any new members of the parish before they work in a leadership capacity with children or youth in the parish.
Two adults shall be present at all times in groups of parish children or youth, except for Church School classes.
No adult should be alone with a child where they cannot be visually observed by others, such as behind a closed door or in a car. Where children or youth meet, doors are to be left open at all times.
Parents of the children or youth served, St. John’s clergy, administrative and professional staff shall have access to all meetings of children or youth at random to observe the relevant program.
When one-on-one interactions are appropriate and/or necessary, care shall be taken that they are conducted in an environment that provides visibility to others. If at all possible, another adult should have knowledge of the adult person’s whereabouts and with whom they are meeting.
Under no circumstance is any staff member or volunteer to engage in secretive conduct with children or young people, sexual or otherwise.
No gifts shall be given by volunteers or staff to children or youth without the prior knowledge of the parents and/or the supervisory staff (C.E Director/Priest.)
No adult shall take children or youth on an off-campus outing or on an overnight outing without at least one other adult attending who is not a spouse or family member.
Vestry approval is required for children to be transported off the church grounds on church sponsored events. A signed permission slip is required for all children and youth participating in church sponsored activities that require transportation way from the church grounds.
Children with serious disciplinary problems shall be referred to their own parents immediately during Church School sessions and youth group events. It is not within the ministry of Church School teachers, volunteers, and youth workers to act in loco parentis with regard to serious behavior problems. Where discipline is called for in children and youth ministry settings, it shall be limited to appropriate reprimands (with at least two adults present) and/or quiet time apart from the class or group until parents are next notified. Two adults must be present in all disciplinary situations.
No convicted sex offender shall be involved with children in the context of the St. John’s Church School or any of its youth ministries.
No one accused of child abuse or neglect should be involved with children while the accusations are still pending. A careful evaluation of an individual’s ability to work with children will be conducted by the professional staff after the accusations are resolved.
Adults Shall NOT:
- provide children or youth with non-sacramental alcohol, illegal drugs, or pornography
- Consume non-sacramental alcohol or illegal drugs, or misuse legal drugs at any children’s or youth event
- Be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs or legal drugs at any children’s or youth event
- Engage in illegal behavior, or permit other adults or children or youth to engage in illegal behavior
- Engage in sexual, romantic, illicit or secretive relationship or conduct with any child or youth
- Discuss their own sexual activities or fantasies with children or you

Firearms and weapons (including concealed weapons) are prohibited at any church activity. Priests may make individual exceptions for off-duty police officers or others required to carry a firearm.

Section 3 – Reporting

Every allegation of child abuse or neglect will be taken seriously. No person who in good faith reports abuse or neglect is subject to any liability for doing so. (How to recognize child abuse and neglect is taught in the above-mentioned training.)
When a staff member or volunteer believes abuse or neglect has been or is being visited upon a child, the staff member or volunteer will observe these guidelines:
- Sensitivity shall be exercised towards the child who has disclosed abuse.
- Refrain from denying or explaining away the abuse.
- Assure the child that the abuse is not his/her fault and that he/she deserves to feel safe.
- Refrain from being judgmental of the abuser since it is often someone for whom the child cares deeply.
- Do not make promises that you are not certain you can keep.
- Refrain from agreeing to keep a secret for the child. Assure the child that you will instead reverence the information shared. Remind the child that some secrets must be told if they involve someone being hurt. Respect the privacy of the child by not telling any more people than necessary.
When abuse or neglect is disclosed or suspected in good faith, volunteers and staff shall make this known directly, in person, to the Rector. In the context of the Church School, the Director of Religious Education shall also be informed in person. Volunteers should be aware that all clergy are, by state law, mandated reporters in instances of child abuse and/or neglect.
Instances of suspected child abuse or neglect will be reported to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families through the DCF CARELINE@1-800-842-2288 which has been established to follow up on reports of child abuse and neglect.
Protection of a child from further abuse or neglect is the first priority, and the reporting procedure outlined above will observe this priority in the most effective way.

Section 4 – Adult Ministries

Adults exercising ministries of visitation in a private setting on behalf of the parish shall keep the priest informed regarding:
- Who was visited?
- Date and Time?
- Reason for visit? (e.g. Lay Eucharistic Ministry, lay pastoral visit, etc.)
- Length of visit?

None of the above policies or procedures are a guarantee that someone has not been employed or recruited who will be abusive to children, young people or adults. It also does not mean that we will never have a staff member or volunteer act improperly. However, following this policy and procedure; involving as many parish members as possible in the training about child sexual abuse and adult sexual misconduct; following up complaints, incidents or disclosures with integrity; pursuing our intuitive hunches; and acting upon the facts when they are before us is the best insurance we can have for protecting the children, youth and adults of our congregation. This Policy shall be reviewed by the Parish Staff and the Vestry in November of each year, and it is subject to amendment by the Vestry at any time.

Adopted by the Vestry of St. John’s on June 15, 2010

Adapted from materials produced by the Dioceses of Ohio, Los Angeles and Connecticut