Safe Guarding Gods Children

1
Safe Guarding Gods Children

• Policy and Procedures
• St. Johns Episcopal Church
• Carlisle, PA

2
The Direction we are going

• In conversation with Rector and Wardens
• -Affirm the present policies and procedures
• -Comply with the Safe Guarding Gods Children
  Resource for Congregations and Diocese
• -Developed and accepted new policies.

3
Key Components in the policy

• To adhere to the pastoral safeguards of the
  Diocese of Central PA
• To insure the protection of all children
  (underage 18)
• 3. To prevent, in as much as possible, sexual
  abuse, sexual harassment, or sexual exploitation
  of or by anyone functioning in the confines of
  the church and its programs and services.

4
LEADERSHIP

• CHURCH PERSONNEL
• -clergy
• -paid
• -volunteers who work regularly with children
• Categories
• -Regular
• -Occasional
• -Overnight and off site leadership

5
Expectations of leadership

• All clergy, church workers and volunteers who
  come into regular contact with children and youth
  shall attend a Safe Guarding Gods Children
  training, with no more than six months of their
  involvement.
• All Clergy, church workers, and volunteers who
  come into regular contact with children shall
  enter into a covenant with St. Johns church,
  certifying their understanding of the policies
• Maintain a current list of personnel or
  volunteers covered by the policy.
• Clergy, church workers and volunteers shall not
  be left alone to supervise children or activities
  except ( at least two adults for activities off
  site)
• in classes or activities where numerous adult
  parishioners are present
• church school classes where other adults are
  present and nearby
• All adult leaders who spend time with youth and
  are on overnight trips with youth shall submit to
  a Department of Public welfare Child Abuse back
  ground check and State Police Criminal History
  Check in addition to training and covenant

6
CovenantFor the purposes of this covenant, I,
the undersigned, understand that St. John's
Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Central
Pennsylvania define child abuse and sexual
misconduct in the following ways

• Abuse Sexual involvement or contact, or
  intentional or negligent physical, emotional or
  mental injury by Clergy, or a worker or
  volunteer with a person who is a minor (age 18 or
  under) or who is legally incompetent.
• Harassment Sexually oriented humor or language,
  inappropriate questions or comments about sexual
  behavior or preference, unwelcome or undesired
  physical contact, inappropriate comments about
  clothing or physical appearance, or repeated
  requests for social engagements, in a situation
  where there is an employment, mentor, or
  colleague relationship between the persons
  involved.
• Exploitation A betrayal of trust in a pastoral
  relationship by the development, or the attempted
  development, of a sexual or romantic relationship
  between a clergy person or other worker or
  volunteer, and a person with whom he/she has a
  pastoral relationship, whether or not there is
  apparent consent from the individual.

7
Covenant

• I agree to abstain from any behavior that
  constitutes sexual abuse, sexual exploitation,
  sexual coercion or sexual harassment of children
  or adults while I minister or work in any
  capacity at St.John's Church.

8
covenant

• I understand that if I engage in such behavior I
  must participate in a disciplinary process which
  will include compliance with the laws of the
  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania regarding the
  reporting, investigation, and prosecution of
  child abuse, and that may include termination of
  employment or suspension of further volunteer
  ministry.

9
covenant

• I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed
  the Policy Statement regarding Prevention Of
  Child Abuse and Allegations of Child Abuse at St.
  John's, that I understand it, and agree to abide
• by it.

10
HOW

• SCREENING
• INTERACTING
• MONITORING
• TRAINING
• RESPONDING
• Baptismal Covenant Respecting the Dignity of
  Every Person

11
Next Training

• Opportunities for training
• Monday September 26th 700 PM training with Fr.
  Ed. Peck