St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Safe Sanctuary Policy and Training

Our calling and mandate is to ensure Safe Sanctuary for all people. Throughout the gospels, Jesus provides teachings on providing a peaceable kingdom for all of God’s people, including our most precious gifts, our children, youth and vulnerable adults (Matthew 5:9, Luke 18:15-17). The peaceable kingdom begins with sanctuary, which is to be a community of protective nurturing and harmony (Psalms 20:1-2, 27:4-5). 

The following policy, procedures and training is intended to protect our children, youth, vulnerable adults, volunteers, employees and the entire church body.  

OVERALL PURPOSE AND GUIDELINES

Scope of Policy

This policy and its provisions shall apply to all persons including all paid and unpaid leaders, whether lay or clergy, who have direct or indirect contact with children, youth or vulnerable adults who participate in any programs, activities or events sponsored by St. Luke’s, regardless of location.  

 

Why Safe Sanctuary?

  • As Christians, we are called to create a safe sanctuary in our church.
  • Create environments and practices to prevent abuse or even the appearance of abuse.
  • Provide training to help volunteers and staff understand signs of abuse and/or neglect.
  • Protect volunteers and staff from false accusations and/or suspicions.

 

Requirements for All Applicants (including all paid or unpaid Leaders, Assistant Leaders and Childcare Providers):

Each applicant needs to consider the following before completing the Safe Sanctuary Training:  

  • Have a clear understanding of our Safe Sanctuary policy and training and their role involving children, students, and vulnerable adults before they interact directly or indirectly with these persons.
  • Adults who have been convicted of a crime involving sexual, physical, and/or verbal abuse or any crime that could potentially be harmful to a child/youth/vulnerable adult should not volunteer and will not be permitted to serve in any church-sponsored activity or program for children, youth or vulnerable adults.
  • Adult survivors of childhood sexual, physical, or verbal abuse need the love and acceptance of this church family. Individuals who have such a history are encouraged to discuss their desire to work with children, youth or vulnerable adults with one of the pastoral staff prior to engaging in any volunteer service.
  • Successfully complete initial and continual training and educational events provided by the church to keep volunteers informed of church policies and state laws regarding abuse.
  • Must immediately report any behaviors which seem or may seem abusive or inappropriate according to the policies and procedures of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
  • Visit with at least one lay or staff representative prior to serving as a volunteer. While church membership is not a requirement to volunteer, staff may confirm previous volunteer experience, in addition to the two non-family references provided. 
  • Grant permission for St. Luke’s to contact references, conduct criminal records checks on all active adult volunteers at least annually, and perform the necessary investigation to complete the review of the application.

 

Safe Sanctuary Training Requirements for all volunteers and staff who have direct or indirect contact with children, youth or vulnerable adults.

  • Read and understand this Safe Sanctuary Policy and Training document (completed every two years).
  • Complete the Safe Sanctuary Application, (either “initial” or “renewal”) including consent for St. Luke’s to conduct a Criminal Records (background) check (completed annually).
  • Provide name and contact information for at least two (2) non-family references as a part of initial application.
  • Earn a score of 80% or higher on the Safe Sanctuary Quiz (completed every two years).
  • View the Epi-Pen Use and Heimlich Maneuver videos, and familiarize yourself with AED locations throughout the church campus (completed every two years).
  • View Sexual Abuse Training video (completed every two years).
  • Complete any additional training required by specific ministries (as requested).
  • The individual is certified upon satisfactory completion of the above steps.
  • Note: All training documents are available for additional review at any time.

 

Definition of Terms Used in This Document

 

Physical Abuse: Any act or act of omission or act that endangers a person’s physical or mental health, including but not limited to any intentional physical injury caused by the individual’s caretaker. Physical abuse may result from punishment that is overly punitive or inappropriate to the individual’s age or condition. In addition, physical abuse may result from purposeful acts that pose serious danger to physical health of a child, youth or vulnerable adult.

 

Verbal Abuse: Any verbal act that humiliates, degrades, or threatens any person.

 

Sexual Abuse: Sexual behavior or a sexual act forced upon a person without their consent.  Sexual abuse of minors/vulnerable adults includes touching them in inappropriate ways such as fondling, inappropriate touching of the body, and inappropriate kissing. Non-touch abuse includes making sexual comments or innuendo about one’s own or another person’s body, showing the minor/vulnerable adult explicit pornographic materials or making him/her watch others engaged in sexual activity.

 

Remember, abuse is not just what someone does, it also includes what someone does NOT do, including not stepping in to stop an abusive action or situation or reporting an actual or possible abusive action. If you can stop abuse, then stop it, and if you know abuse is happening, report it immediately. 

 

HALLMARKS OF OUR SAFE SANCTUARY POLICY

Adult Role Definitions

  • Adult Leader is twenty-one (21) years of age or older with a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Assistant Leader is 18-20 years of age with a high school diploma or equivalent who is supervised by a Leader
  • In accordance with Texas Minimum Standards, a Childcare Provider is eighteen (18) years of age or older with a high school diploma

 

 

Three-Years Older Rule

  • Leaders are to be at least three (3) years older than the oldest age of the children/youth for whom the Leader is responsible.

 

Two-Adult Rule

  • Our core value is a minimum of two adult leaders present at all times during all church-sponsored settings for children, youth or vulnerable adults. However, when this is not possible, the time period should be brief and any door should be open if there is no unobstructed window. An example of a “brief” period would be when a teacher needs to walk children to the restroom or to find a parent. Any one-to-one mentoring or consulting shall be conducted in sight of another adult.
  • In certain exceptions, like Bridges Academy, all meetings must be in rooms with an open door if there is no unobstructed window. Parents should give permission knowing there is one adult leader.
  • When non-Safe Sanctuary certified adults are present, make sure at least one Safe Sanctuary certified individual is present.

Clear Sight Lines

  • There should be unobstructed visibility to all activities where children and youth are present. Classroom doors should have windows in them or remain open. Changing a diaper and assisting a young child with the bathroom as needed should take place where the worker and the child is in sight with the child’s privacy protected.
  • Stay visible to others.

 

Open Door Counseling

  • At any counseling sessions with children or youth, the door of the room used should remain open for the entire session, if there is no unobstructed window.

 

Overnight Accommodations:

  • It is strongly recommended that two adults (or for children, one adult and one older youth) be present in each room or in close proximity to the room.
  • If only one adult is present, there must be more than one child/youth present.
  • Adults are not to sleep in the same bed with a child/youth.
  • Co-ed overnight events require male and female leaders without exception.

 

Outside Groups
All outside organizations, groups, or individuals who use any of the facilities of St. Luke’s Church shall sign stating that they are in compliance with this policy. 

 

Appropriate Discipline

  • Set age-appropriate expectations and rules, with the help of the children.
  • Use gentle reminders. Teach children appropriate behavior through actions and words.
  • Redirection (including offering different engagement opportunities) and individual conversations work well.
  • Physical or punitive punishment is never appropriate.
  • Contact Ministry leaders/staff for suggestions and guidance.

 

Setting Boundaries

  • Physical boundaries change as an individual ages. It is your responsibility to set the boundaries.  Always err on the side of safety.  Our training video addresses this in more detail. 
  • Always be aware of where a conversation might go. Steer conversations appropriately.
  • If you feel boundaries are being violated, allow great distance to come between you and the young person.
  • Contact a staff person if you feel uncomfortable with a situation.

 

EMERGENCIES
Fire or Intruder Procedures

  • Review the guidelines provided in each classroom for these procedures. Additional training may be required. 

 

Health Emergencies

  • Allergies – Food and other allergies can be life threatening to a person. Follow all Allergies procedures provided by individual ministries.
  • First aid kits and AED machines are located in numerous areas throughout campus. Familiarize yourself with locations.  
  • Epi-Pen and Heimlich Manuever training videos are available and required for review at least every two years.
  • Do not hesitate to call 911 if needed.
  • Contact a staff person as soon as possible.

 

PLAN FOR RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT

Supporting the Victim

Assess needs for emergency care for the victim

  • Notify ministry leader, parents and/or other legally responsible adult
  • Provide emergency healthcare as needed, including 9-1-1
    • First Aid
    • Emergency services
    • Hospital emergency room

Take precautions to secure the area

  • Maintain the integrity of the area and protect all evidence for the professional investigation.

Assisting the victim and victim's family

  • Obtain medical help as needed. The care and safety of the victim is the first priority.
  • Take all allegations seriously and do not prejudge the situation
  • Offer and provide pastoral resources, as needed
  • Show care and support to prevent further hurt

What if media is involved?

  • Senior Pastor or designated representative will be informed of all details of the incident and will release any information that is to be disseminated to the media.

 

 

 

Supporting the Accused

  • Remove the accused/abuser from any further contact with children, youth, vulnerable adults and staff
  • Treat the accused with dignity and support
    • Do not confront the accused until the safety of the victim is secured
    • Offer and provide pastoral care to family of accused, as appropriate
    • Offer outside counseling services, as appropriate
    • Refer to outside clergy if deemed more desirable or if requested by the family

 

Documentation Action Steps

  • Document all your efforts at handling the incident
  • Do not attempt an in-depth investigation.
  • This should be left to professionals who are familiar with this type of case. This is to protect the rights of the victim and the accused.
  • Individual files will be kept with all documented actions, conversations, etc.
  • File will be retained in a locked and secured area to ensure privacy and confidentiality.

 

St. Luke’s Staff Responsibilities

  • Notify legal authorities, as required
  • Report incident to Children's Protective Services
  • Immediately contact church's insurance carrier
  • Inform the St. Luke’s Board of Trustees, any other appropriate church body, and church legal counsel
  • Arrange for crisis counseling and/or long-range counseling where deemed appropriate.
  • Church staff will be informed of incident on a "need to know" basis (to ensure privacy of the victim and/or accused) and their support enlisted, as needed
  • Full cooperation must be given to civil authorities under the guidance of church attorney.
  • Communicate with the media, as determined by Senior Pastor or designated representative