Policy for Protection of Policy for Protection of Children, Youth and Other Children, Youth and Other

Vulnerable PeopleVulnerable Peoplein in

ELCICELCIC(Presentation Revised August 2009)(Presentation Revised August 2009)

Why?Why?

Sexual abuse can happen in the churchSexual abuse can happen in the church One incident can devastate a child, a One incident can devastate a child, a

family and the churchfamily and the church Legal Liability --- Protecting you & the Legal Liability --- Protecting you & the

childrenchildren

Child AbuseChild Abuse

Physical AbusePhysical Abuse Emotional AbuseEmotional Abuse Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse NeglectNeglect

Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse

Sexually touching a child or inviting a child to Sexually touching a child or inviting a child to touchtouch

IntercourseIntercourse Threatening sexual acts, obscene gesturesThreatening sexual acts, obscene gestures Sexual references to the child’s bodySexual references to the child’s body Asking child to expose their body for sexual Asking child to expose their body for sexual

purposepurpose Exposing the child to sexual materials or Exposing the child to sexual materials or

activitiesactivities Sexual exploitation --- in exchange for thingsSexual exploitation --- in exchange for things

Signs of Possible Sexual AbuseSigns of Possible Sexual Abuse

Physical signsPhysical signs NightmaresNightmares Irritation, pain to the genital areaIrritation, pain to the genital area Difficulty with urinationDifficulty with urination Discomfort when sittingDiscomfort when sitting

Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Warning Signs of Possible Sexual AbuseAbuse

Behavioral signsBehavioral signs Anxiety when approaching churchAnxiety when approaching church Nervous or hostile behavior toward adultsNervous or hostile behavior toward adults Showing sexual knowledge not common for their Showing sexual knowledge not common for their

age in their language, drawing or play, or forcing age in their language, drawing or play, or forcing another child into sexual playanother child into sexual play

Withdraw from family, friends and activities the Withdraw from family, friends and activities the child used to enjoychild used to enjoy

Unexplained gifts, or sums of moneyUnexplained gifts, or sums of money Being secretive about new friends, activities, or Being secretive about new friends, activities, or

internet use.internet use.

Verbal signsVerbal signs I don’t like (names a particular person)I don’t like (names a particular person) I don’t like to be alone with (particular I don’t like to be alone with (particular

person)person)

Warning Signs of Possible Sexual Warning Signs of Possible Sexual AbuseAbuse

If a child tells you they have been If a child tells you they have been abused… abused…

Stay calm and listenStay calm and listen Go slowlyGo slowly Be supportiveBe supportive Get only the basic factsGet only the basic facts Tell the child what will happen next --- no Tell the child what will happen next --- no

promise of keeping it a secret.promise of keeping it a secret.

Reporting AbuseReporting Abuse

A legal requirementA legal requirement Report to the Pastors who’ll follow up with Report to the Pastors who’ll follow up with

actions specified by this policyactions specified by this policy Emergency: when the Pastors are not Emergency: when the Pastors are not

available and the parents cannot be available and the parents cannot be reached (parents are not the perpetrator), reached (parents are not the perpetrator), report to the police (911) or child report to the police (911) or child protection (310-1234)protection (310-1234)

Protection ProceduresProtection Procedures

Screening of those who work with childrenScreening of those who work with children Police records check for all salaried staffPolice records check for all salaried staff All personnel will be made familiar with the All personnel will be made familiar with the

nature of child sexual abuse and the policy nature of child sexual abuse and the policy for protectionfor protection

All volunteers will sign a covenant All volunteers will sign a covenant (document A)(document A)

All volunteers will complete a volunteer All volunteers will complete a volunteer application form (document B)application form (document B)

Protection ProceduresProtection Procedures

New volunteers: requirement of being New volunteers: requirement of being active participant of VCLC for six months active participant of VCLC for six months (refer to the pastors);(refer to the pastors);

New volunteers: Application form, New volunteers: Application form, interview, reference check, police check interview, reference check, police check (may be required)(may be required)

Protection ProceduresProtection Procedures

Two unrelated adults will be present Two unrelated adults will be present during activities involving children and during activities involving children and youthyouth

Washroom guidelinesWashroom guidelines Annual training session (or special Annual training session (or special

sessions for new volunteers are gathered)sessions for new volunteers are gathered)

New Volunteers please completeNew Volunteers please complete

Volunteer Ministry Covenant (Document Volunteer Ministry Covenant (Document A)A)

Volunteer Application Form (Document B Volunteer Application Form (Document B to be handed in later)to be handed in later)