Book titles:The Child Safeguarding Policy for Churches and Ministries
Protecting Children from Abuse in the Church
Caring for Survivors of Sexual Abuse
What the Bible Says to Abuse Survivors and Those Who Hurt Them
The Spiritual Impact of Sexual Abuse
This course will introduce different aspects of a Safe Sanctuary policy. This will include 6 key areas when considering creation or review of your own Safe Sanctuary policy and raising up specific questions for you to consider in each area as you create or review your Safe Sanctuary policy.
Having a safe sanctuary policy isn’t just about keeping children and youth safe. It’s so much more. It’s creating a safe environment for all persons connected with our congregations, presbyteries, synods, and denominational facilities, camps, and events by having a plan to keep everyone safe.
Our world is full of violence and turmoil even in our homes and everyday lives. Does your church offer a safe place for everyone? Are there ways that your camping ministries can become a place where people come to experience peace? How would your church react if a tornado was to hit your town or a member had a heart attack during worship? What is someone wandered into a function causing a disturbance or danger? What would your presbytery do if there was a sexual predator amongst the staff? These questions may drum up fear, but the policies are to promote calm in the face of a storm.
Safe Sanctuary deals with the need to create a safe environment for all people who walk through the doors of our churches and participate in the activities and events associated with our church. Our congregations, presbyteries, synods, and the denomination can be a safe place for all people to grow in their faith.
The 183rd General Assembly directed congregations, presbyteries, synods, camps, and events to have a Safe Sanctuary plan. When you have completed your Safe Sanctuary policy, it should be filed with the Office of the General Assembly.
Provided for you below are some helpful resources for helping your church create it’s own Safe Sanctuary policy.
Take the Steps to Become a Safe Sanctuary PDF
Once the results from the Public and Criminal Record Check have been received, churches and presbyteries are responsible for continuing the process before hiring an applicant or securing the volunteer. Read: Next Steps to Take After the Background Check.
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