WHY SAFE SANCTUARIES ? Protect our children Protect our workers Protect the Church’s assets for mission and ministry

TOOL #1 SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 1:1-10 I Samuel 1:27-28 Amos 5:24 Micah 6:4-8 Matthew 18:5 Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Luke 2:22ff

TOOL #2 BAPTISMAL COVENANT

Members of the household of faith, I commend to your love care these children (persons), whom we this day recognize as members of the family of God…

With God’s help we will so order our lives after the example of Christ, that these children surrounded by steadfast love, may be established in the faith, and confirmed and strengthened in the way that leads to life eternal. The United Methodist Book of Worship, pages

TOOL #3 MATH PROBLEM 1 child every 10 seconds is abused 1 out of 10 boys; 1 out of 5 girls will be sexually assaulted in childhood 50% of worship center sexual misconduct is by volunteers 1 person every hour has stroke/heart attack Less than 20% of child abuse is perpetrated by strangers. Church Mutual; Joy Melton, Safe Sanctuaries, Discipleship Resources

KENTUCKY FACTS During , a child was reported abused or neglected every 8.5 minutes in Kentucky Using this statistic, during a 1 hour worship service, 7 reports will be made 2005 Kentucky Kids Count.

PHYSICAL ABUSE In 2004, 11,374 cases of physical abuse were reported in Kentucky 23% were substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation 2005 Kentucky Kids Count.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE In 2004, 607 cases of emotional abuse were reported in Kentucky 20% were substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation Kentucky Kids Count.

NEGLECT In 2004, 33,038 cases of neglect (and dependency) were reported in Kentucky. 38% wre substantiated—met the criteria to proceed with an investigation Kentucky Kids Count.

TOOL #4 SCARY BUT TRUE STORIES

TOOL #5 INCORPORATION

TOOL #6 MEET PATRICK WHO ARE THE ABUSERS? HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE THEM? TYPES OF ABUSE? WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?

TOOL #7 CHECKLIST FOR LOCAL CHURCHES

TOOL #8 RECRUITING-SCREENING-HIRING PRACTICES Written Application Forms Personal Reference Forms Driver’s License Checks Personal Interviews Six Month Hospitality Rule Participation Covenant Criminal Background Checks local-state-national-Megan’s Law Website

TOOL #9 BASIC OPERATING PROCEDURES Two UNRELATED Adult Rule Windows/half doors In All Classrooms No Workers Under Eighteen Four-Years-Older Rule Open Door Counseling First Aid/CPR Training

Participation Covenant For All Participants/Leaders Annual Orientation For Workers Advance Notice To Parents Parent and Family Education Appropriate Equipment and Supervision

TOOL #10 CONGREGATIONAL RESPONSE PLAN Notify the parents of the victim and take any necessary steps to assure child’s safety. Child’s safety is first concern. Treat accused with dignity, but immediately remove him/her from further involvement with children and/or youth.

Notify proper law enforcement/child protective services. Notify proper Conference authorities, insurance agent, and church’s attorney.

CONFERENCE CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS TEAM WILL ASSIST CHURCH LEADERS. Prepare a brief and honest statement that can be made to the congregation. Do not give unnecessary details, blame, interfere with victim’s privacy or violate any confidentiality. There is a difference between confidentiality and secrecy. Be prepared to cooperate fully with the investigation.

TOOL #11 ISSUES CONCERNING REPORTING

KENTUCKY STATUTE FOR REPORTING : Any person who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that a child is dependent, neglected, or abused shall immediately cause an oral or written report to be made to a local law enforcement agency or the Department of Kentucky State Police.

KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE APPROVED POLICY Reporting is required by any staff or a volunteer that: ~personally witnesses an incident of abuse or exploitation ~when an allegation of an event of abuse or exploitation is made to staff or a volunteer by a third party ~when a child/vulnerable adult discloses abuse or exploitation.

CLERGY AS REPORTERS “All clergy of the United Methodist Church are charged to maintain all confidences inviolate including confessional confidences, except in the cases of suspected child abuse or neglect or in cases where mandatory reporting is required by civil law.” The Book of Discipline, 2004 ¶ 341.5

REPORTING Abuse must be reported to the Kentucky Child Protection Hot Line:

ADDITIONAL ISSUES Ecumenical Ministry Outside Groups Using Church Facilities Response Plan—who speaks to the media Clergy as mandated Reporters KY State Police Child Abuse Hotline –

QUESTIONS ABOUT INSURANCE How much coverage do you have? What are the limits? Do you specifically have “SAM” insurance? Who is covered/Who is not covered?

Exactly what is covered—criminal lawsuits/defendant until found guilty, innocent? Punitive damages are never covered. What do you do if there is an allegation?

“TRUTH, LIES, AND SEX OFFENDERS” HOW THEY THINK, WHAT THEY DO ANNA C. SALTER, Ph.D

TOM SALSGIVER CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA CONFERENCE