Abuse Prevention

The disturbing and traumatic rise of physical, mental, and sexual abuse of children has claimed the attention of our nation and society. We, at Meridian Friends Church, are deeply aware of the responsibilities associated with caring for, teaching, and training children. Why is abuse harmful? Abuse of all types damages trust. It inflicts deep spiritual, physical and/or emotional wounds. Abuse results in lies that are destructive, especially emotionally.

As a caring church, sensitive to the needs of our families, it is of utmost importance to establish a policy for all persons, paid or volunteer, who minister to/with children and youth under our care and supervision. Meridian Friends Church will take necessary steps, both legally and morally, to prevent and report the abuse of children with/to whom we minister.

This policy reflects the commitment of Meridian Friends Church to provide:
A. Protective care for all children.
B. Guidance and protection for paid and volunteer workers who minister to/with children.
C. Protection for the children’s and youth ministries of Meridian Friends Church.
D. Information and instruction regarding policies and procedures relating to the protection of children and prevention of child abuse.
E. This policy does not negate the responsibility of the parent to protect their children Nor does this policy allow an individual to evade responsibility for their own action.

The following definitions will be used for the purposes of the Child Abuse Prevention and Protection Policy of Meridian Friends Church

a) conduct or omission resulting in skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, failure to thrive or death, and such condition or death is not justifiably explained, or where the history given concerning such condition or death is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death, or the circumstances indicate that such condition or death may not be the product of an accidental occurrence; or
b) sexual conduct, including rape, molestation, incest, prostitution, obscene or pornographic photographing, filming or depiction for commercial purposes, or other similar forms of sexual exploitation harming or threatening the child’s health or welfare or mental injury to the child; or
c) neglect, meaning a child who is without proper parental care and control, or subsistence, education, medical or other care or control necessary for his well-being because of the conduct or omission of his parents, guardian or other custodian or their neglect or refusal to provide them;

NOTE: The above three statements are quoted from Idaho Code 16-1602.

B. Child: An unmarried person under the age of eighteen (18).
C. Staff: A person who is paid by the church to perform a specific function, e.g., Assistant Pastor, Youth Coordinator, Children’s Coordinator, Senior Pastor, or Nursery Worker.
D. Children’s/Youth Worker: A person who does not receive pay and performs some sort of ministry or work, e.g. Sunday school teacher or small group leader.
E. Occasional Worker: A volunteer who does not have a regular assignment but serves as a substitute when needed.
F. Two Adult Rule: Adults working with children and youth should observe the “two adult rule” where feasible during all church sponsored events. This means that an adult is never with a child or a group of children up to the age of thirteen without another adult being present, except in public places in view of others and with parental permission. For children thirteen years of age and older, adults should never meet with a child or a group of children without another adult present, except in public places in view of others and preferably with parental permission. (See Section ifi, C, for more information).

1. Church Attendance: Any prospective children’s/youth worker will have attended Meridian Friends Church on a regular basis (average 3 times/month) for at least six (6) months prior to filling out a Children/Youth Ministry Screening Form.
2. Screening Form: All prospective children’s/youth workers will complete a Children/Youth Ministry Screening Form. These forms are confidential and will be kept in a locked file.
3. Applicant Interview: A follow-up interview with the Education Clerk or a member of the Pastoral Staff will be scheduled. All applicants must be willing to submit to a criminal background check, which will be repeated at least every two (2) years. Any children’s/youth worker applicant with a prior conviction of child abuse or currently under investigation by the State will not be selected as a children’s/youth worker. He/she will be encouraged to minister in other areas of the church under the guidance of the Senior Pastor and Elders. The Education Committee will use the results of the interview, reference checks, and background check to make a final determination about the candidate’s application. All documentation, including the application and background check, will be kept confidential and stored in a locked filing cabinet.
4. Training: All children’s/youth workers will sign the attached form, agreeing in writing to follow church policies regarding working with children/youth. Child abuse information will be a part of annual training meetings of children/youth workers including definition, prevention, reporting, and victim support. Attendance at these trainings is mandatory.

B. Locked File: Contents of the “locked file” should be kept CONFIDENTIAL AT ALL TIMES.
Access to these records will be restricted to:
1. Pastoral Staff.
2. The Clerk of the Christian Education Ministry Team.

C. Two Adult Rule: Adults working with children and youth should observe the “two adult rule” where feasible during all church sponsored events. This means that an adult is never with a child or a group of children without another adult present. For example, two adults will be present at all Sunday school classes, youth meetings, cherub/junior church classes, Vacation Bible school classes, nursery care situations, musical program rehearsals, youth social events, Bible quizzing practices, and all other church sponsored functions.

This rule applies to all church sponsored events unless the Christian Education Ministry Team has approved a specific situation or event, and parents have been notified. For situations where an adult has a legitimate reason to be alone with a child/youth under the age of thirteen (e.g. counseling with children or youth), the meeting will be held in a public place that is in full view of anyone who might pass by and parental permission will be obtained. For situations where an adult has a legitimate reason to be alone with a child/youth thirteen years of age or older, the meeting will be held in a public place that is in full view of anyone who might pass by and preferably with parental permission.

D. Physical Contact: Adults working with children and youth are required to use appropriate physical contact at all times, including, but not limited to, touching a child’s hand, side rather than frontal hugging, no touching of private body areas. Appropriate touching takes into account the situation and location. For example, a hug may be appropriate in a public, but not in a private location in the church.

E. Immediate Reporting: Any physical or mental injury in evidence on any child in their care must be reported as required by state and local laws within 24 hours. Adults working with children and youth need to report to a member of the Pastoral Staff or Education Clerk, any behavior that appears to be abusive or inappropriate.

F. Occasional Workers: There may be situations where “occasional” volunteer workers are required to fulfill a specific ministry with children or youth in order to meet the “two adult rule.” Occasional workers may serve as a substitute worker though they may not have been through worker screening or training, but must serve alongside a worker who has been through the screening and training. Occasional workers must be regular attenders (avg. 3 times/month) for at least six (6) months. Exceptions may be made by the approval of the Education Ministry Team. For example: college students home for the summer, winter travelers home for the summer, interns, or newly hired staff people. They will be asked to complete a Children/Youth Ministry Screening form and be willing to submit to a criminal background check.

G. Classroom Observation: It is strongly recommended that windows be present in all classroom doors or other areas used by children and youth. The Christian Education Ministry Team Clerk and Pastoral Staff may regularly observe all activities and visit all areas.

H. Restroom Visits: When taking young children to the rest room, be especially careful to give them as much privacy as possible. Unless unavoidable, only escort children of your gender, and then enter the rest room only if absolutely necessary.

I. Nursery Policies: Establish and follow strictly a sign-in/sign-out system for all nursery-age children. Nursery workers are encouraged to know the adults who will be picking up the children.

1. Transportation to Meridian Friends Church sponsored activities is to be provided only from the church to the activity and from the activity back to the church. Transportation between the home and the church and return is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to arrange.
2. Transportation of children and youth, for a church sponsored activity, is to be provided by drivers that are at least 21 years of age, have a current driver’s license and proof of insurance. Event sponsors are responsible for making copies of this information prior to the activity. This photocopied information should be given to the Pastoral Staff or Education Ministry Team Clerk. In addition, each driver will complete a screening form that will authorize a criminal background check. All driver information, screening form, and results of the background check will be kept confidential and stored in a locked filing cabinet. Drivers will carry permission slips for each child, which have been duly signed by the child’s or youth’s parent(s) or guardian(s). Permission slips will include liability waivers for special events.
3. The “two adult rule” is especially important when providing transportation. It is also advisable for two or more children to be present in each vehicle.

K. Policy Review: All policies, procedures and guidelines with respect to Child Protection, and Abuse Prevention should be reviewed each year to make certain they are up to date. The Christian Education Ministry Team is responsible to see that this is done.

A. Proper responses to allegations of child abuse can minimize the pain and liability for all parties involved in a given situation. It is the goal of Meridian Friends Church to respond to allegations in a manner that people’s rights to privacy and confidentiality is maintained at the highest possible level. Adequate care and support for both the alleged victim and the accused shall be considered mandatory at all times.

A. Abuse - Abuse means any case in which a child has been the victim of

A. Screening Requirements: In order to adequately protect our children, these are the procedures for screening paid and volunteer children’s and youth workers

J. Transportation

If a child reports abuse or improper touching:

A. Guidelines for Dealing with Child Abuse

B. How Should the Report be Made?

1. When a children’s/youth worker witnesses child abuse, or is told of child abuse by a party involved, that person must promptly contact the Education Clerk or a member of the Pastoral Staff and make a report, or cause a report to be made to the appropriate child protection services and local police agency. This is not to be discussed with the child in question.
2. When a children’s/youth worker has cause to believe that abuse has occurred, but has not observed the abusive conduct, such as abuse by a parent, that person must report the information to the Education Clerk or a member of the Pastoral Staff and make a report to the local authorities. Discussion with the child should be kept to a minimum, and then only to confirm suspicions. The child’s parents, or other suspected individuals, should not be contacted at this time.
3. Witnessed or suspected child abuse shall be recorded on the Suspected Child Abuse Report Form. The form shall be completed as soon as possible following the verbal report, and should be in as much detail as possible. Special attention should be given to time, place, what was witnessed or suspected, person making the report, indicators of abuse, family background, visible signs of any injury on the child, remarks by the child (without interviewing the child), etc.
4. The Senior Pastor shall report all relevant information concerning suspected or observed abuse to the Yearly Meeting Superintendent. Otherwise, all aspects of the report, verbal and written, shall be maintained confidential except to the extent required for reporting purposes to avoid mistaken accusation. The written reports shall be maintained at the church office in the locked box.

B. In the case of an allegation of child abuse against a worker serving in the ministry of the church, the following steps shall be taken:

1. The Education Clerk or the Pastoral Staff shall document all efforts used when dealing with the allegation.
2. The allegation will be reported as soon as possible to the Senior Pastor.
3. The Senior Pastor shall report the incident as soon as possible to the applicable insurance company and/or attorney.
4. The accused shall be relieved of duties until the prompt investigation of said accusation is completed.
5. Follow the counsel of an attorney and/or insurance company representative when reporting to Services for Children and Families (within 24 hours as required by State law).
6. Parents of the alleged victim shall be notified as soon as possible.
7. If the accused is under the age of 18, his/her parents shall be notified as soon as possible.
8. The alleged victim must be supported by all the love and care that is reasonably possible.
9. The accused must be treated with dignity, support and Christian love.
10. All means must be taken to ensure confidentiality at all levels of this process. Disclosure of information regarding the abuse or suspected abuse is prohibited, except as required for reporting purposes.

3. Report the abuse (see the procedure below)

2. Protect the child

1. Believe the child