St. Paul’s United Church of Christ

Trexlertown, PA

SAFE CHURCH POLICY

I.  Policy Prohibiting Abuse, Exploitation and Harassment

As a community of Christian faith, St. Paul’s U.C.C. is committed to creating and maintaining programs, facilities and a community in which members, friends, staff and volunteers can worship, learn and work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation or intimidation.  All persons associated with St. Paul’s U.C.C. should be aware that the church is strongly opposed to Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Harassment and that such behavior is prohibited by church policy.  It is the intention and responsibility of the church to take whatever action may be needed to prevent and correct behavior that is contrary to this policy and, if necessary, to discipline those persons who violate this policy.  The St. Paul’s Sexual Harassment Policy (adopted 2/1/1994) should be the basis for corrective measures when and if a situation arises.

II.  Definitions

            Minister:  a person engaged by the church to carry out its ministry.  Minister includes elected or appointed leaders of the church, employees, and volunteers, as well as authorized ministers.

            Authorized Minister:..a person who holds ordained ministerial standing or has been commissioned or licensed by an association or Conference acting as an Association of the United Church of Christ.

            Ministerial Relationship:  the relationship between one who carries out the ministry of the church and the one being served by that ministry.

            Sexual Exploitation:  sexual activity or contact (not limited to sexual intercourse) in which a minister engaged in the work of the church takes advantage of the vulnerability of a participant by causing or allowing the participant to engage in sexual behavior with the minister.

            Sexual Harassment:  repeated or coercive sexual advances toward another person contrary to his or her wishes.  It includes behavior directed at another person with the intent of intimidating, humiliating, or embarrassing the other person, or subjecting the person to public discrimination.  Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

·         Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition or circumstance of instruction, employment, or participation in any church activity; submission to, or rejection of, such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making personnel or church-related decisions affecting an individual; or

·         Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or participation in church activities or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, recreational, or church environment.

Prohibited sexual harassment includes unsolicited and unwelcome contact that has sexual overtones, particularly:

·         Written contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene letters, notes, e-mails, or invitations;

·         Verbal contact, such as sexually suggestive or obscene comments, threats, slurs, epithets, jokes about gender-specific traits, sexual propositions;

·         Physical contact, such as intentional touching, pinching, brushing against another’s body, impeding or blocking movement, assault, coercing sexual intercourse; and

·         Visual contact, such as leering or staring at another’s body, gesturing, displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures, cartoons, posters, or magazines.

Sexual harassment also includes continuing to express sexual interest after being informed directly that the interest is unwelcome and using sexual behavior to control, influence, or affect the career, salary, work, learning, or worship environment of another.  It is impermissible to suggest, threaten, or imply that failure to accept a request for a date or sexual intimacy will affect a person’s job prospects, church leadership, or comfortable participation in the life of the church.  It is forbidden either to imply or actually withhold support for an appointment, promotion, or change of assignment, to suggest that a poor performance report will be given because a person has declined a personal proposition; or to hint that benefits, such as promotions, favorable performance evaluations, favorable assigned duties or shifts, recommendations, or reclassifications, will be forthcoming in exchange for sexual favors.

III.  Ministerial Conduct

            The pastor, every employee, elected and appointed lay leaders, and every volunteer are all Ministers of the congregation.  As such, each is responsible for understanding the ways in which their words or actions may affect others.

            Sexual Exploitation or Sexual Harassment of parishioners or others by anyone engaged in the ministry of St. Paul’s U.C.C. is unethical and unprofessional behavior and will not be tolerated.

            All Ministers of the church (as defined above and below) may sometimes deal with individuals who are emotionally or personally vulnerable in some way.  It is also important that every Minister of the church be adequately prepared and educated for the ministry in which they serve others, and to understand the ways in which their actions may impact those who may be vulnerable to their use or misuse of power.

            It is the policy of St. Paul’s U.C.C. to encourage its Ministers and Authorized Ministers to nurture safety within Ministerial Relationships by being attentive to self-care, education, and the importance of referring those in need to supportive and helpful resources.  It is also expected that those engaged in providing ministry will complete and submit a Disclosure Form and Participation Agreement.

IV.  Child and Youth Protection Policy

            St. Paul’s U.C.C. is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment in which people can learn about and experience God’s love.

            In order to ensure this, we have established the following guidelines.

·         We expect that those who volunteer to work in leadership roles with minors will have been members of St. Paul’s U.C.C. for at least six (6) months, or if not members, regularly and frequently associated with St. Paul’s U.C.C. for at least one (1) year.

·         It is the policy of this church to provide adequate supervision and safeguards for all youth activities.  In any situations where participants are not readily visible to other church members, under no circumstances will there be an adult alone with a child.  Youth over the age of eleven (11) may assist an unrelated adult; however, this assistance does not change the requirement that at least two (2)-unrelated adults must be present.

·         All volunteers who work with children and youth will complete and submit a DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT in forms substantially similar to the samples accompanying this policy.  These documents shall be submitted to the church office before volunteers begin their duties.

·         All volunteers and employees who work with children and youth will receive orientation to the overall policy.

·         Written consent of one (1) parent or guardian will be required for all activities off the church property, and any overnight activities.

V.  Requirements for ministry

·         Before an offer of employment is made to any individual (whether ordained, commissioned, licensed or other lay person), a comprehensive background check including a criminal records check, may be completed.  Suggested scope of check to include the counties of residence and counties of work over the past seven (7) years.

·         The Pastor of the church will conduct a review of the registered sex offender registry for each new Minister and Authorized Minister by searching his or her name on the Department of Justice website at www.nsopr.gov.  The registered sex offender registry will be reviewed by church staff on an annual basis for all Ministers and Authorized Ministers.

·         Authorized Ministers of the church will attend boundary workshops suggested or required by Penn Northeast Conference of United Church of Christ or will attend at least one workshop every three (3) years, whichever is more frequent.

VI.  Responding to Allegation of Child Abuse

For the purposes of this policy, “child abuse” is any action (or lack of action) which endangers or harms a child’s physical, psychological or emotional health and development.  Child abuse occurs in different ways and includes:

• Physical abuse—any physical injury to a child which is not accidental, such as beating, shaking, burns, and biting.
• Emotional abuse—emotional injury when the child is not nurtured or provided with love and security, such as an environment of constant criticism, belittling and persistent teasing.
• Sexual abuse—any sexual activity between a child and an adult or between a child and another child at least four years older than the victim, including activities such as fondling, exhibitionism, intercourse, incest, and pornography.
• Neglect—depriving a child of their essential needs, such as adequate food, water, shelter, and medical care.

When an abusive incident between minor children occurs, an attempt will be made to resolve the matter directly with the parents or guardians of the minor children.  Parents or guardians of the minor children will be notified of the incident.  One of the pastors will consult with the parents or guardians individually or as a group, as deemed appropriate, in an attempt to resolve the matter.  Based upon the outcome of the consultation(s) between the pastor and the parents or guardians, the pastor will produce a written summary of the incident with the agreed upon resolution(s).  A written summary with signatures of all parties involved may be requested at the discretion of the pastor.  If this attempt at resolution fails, the incident may be reported to local law enforcement officials.

Employees and volunteers may have the opportunity to become aware of abuse or neglect of a child participating in our programs and activities.  In the event that an individual involved with children at this church becomes aware of suspected abuse or neglect of a child participating in our programs and activities, this should be reported immediately to one of the following as applicable:  Pastor, Council President, or Council Vice President.  The individual and the applicable staff member will jointly take further action including reporting to authorities as may be mandated by state law and completing a Report of Suspected Child Abuse Form.

GENERAL CHECKLIST OF ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN.  In event of a child abuse incident or allegation, the following actions should be taken.

(Actions A through C should be taken by the individual who discerns the child abuse or questionable behavior.  Action D through K are the responsibility of the church officials, specifically the Pastor, or the Council President or Vice President):

A.                Take all allegations seriously.

B.                 As appropriate, secure the safety of the child or youth immediately, before the accused is confronted.

C.                 Notify the Pastor, the Council President, and/or Vice President immediately.

D.                Inform the parents or guardians of the child/children involved (unless they are the persons suspected of child abuse).

E.                 Report the matter to state-level civil authorities via ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.

F.                  Do not attempt an in-house, in-depth investigation.  This is the responsibility of the county’s Child Protective Services agency, and if needed, law enforcement and healthcare officials.

G.                Report the incident promptly to the church’s legal counsel.

H.                Extend pastoral care to the victim and victim’s family.

I.                   Treat the accused with dignity and support.

J.                   As appropriate based on legal counsel’s advice, report the matter to the church’s insurance company and the appropriate synod official.

K.                Prepare a public statement for use by the County Children and Youth Services regarding St. Paul’s U.C.C. policies on child abuse prevention.

L.                 Refer all inquiries for information regarding the incident to the County Children and Youth Services, unless advised otherwise by St. Paul’s U.C.C. legal counsel.

M.               The Senior Pastor will be our spokesperson to media concerning incidents of abuse or neglect, unless he/she is alleged to be involved, in which case the Council President will be our spokesperson.  All other workers should refrain from speaking to the media.

N.                A pastoral visit will be arranged for those who desire it.

lmportant Numbers

Child line - 1-800-932-0313 24 hour, toll-free. Call if there is a suspicion of child abuse. Remember that you do not have to investigate or prove there was abuse - all you need is a suspicion.  lt is better for the subsequent investigation if you DO NOT question the child beyond the point at which you have suspicions of child abuse.

Child line will call the county involved, but you may want to assure yourself that a quick response will follow, and call the county office as well.

County Offices:

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY Dept. of Human Services 610-559-3290

LEHIGH County Office of Children and Youth Services 610-782-9064 Or 610-782-3068

BERKS COUNTY Children and Youth Services 610-478-6700

BUCKS COUNTY Children and Youth Social Services Agency 215.348€900

MONROE COUNTY Children and Youth Services 570-420-3590

lf you are informed that child abuse is going on RIGHT NOW - for instance, you hear a neighbor's child screaming and other sounds of violence - call the police immediately, followed immediately by a call to Child line.  Do not assume that others will make either of those calls.  lt is better to have several reports, rather than none.

My local police emergency number is 610-437-5252

VII.  Policies

            This SAFE CHURCH POLICY will be concurrent with the Sexual Harassment (adopted 2/1/1994) and Conflict Resolution (revised 2000) policies of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.