Child Safety Policies and Background Checks for Ensuring Protection
"Discover the importance of child safety policies and background checks in safeguarding children, youth, and vulnerable adults. Learn about statistics on child abuse cases and the necessity of implementing safety measures to prevent abuse. Explore best practices and guidelines to create safe environments for all."
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
You are allowed to download the files provided on this website for personal or commercial use, subject to the condition that they are used lawfully. All files are the property of their respective owners.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
CHILD SAFETY POLICIES & BACKGROUND CHECKS
ALL OF THIS CONTENT, AS WELL AS SOME SAMPLE POLICIES AND LINKS FOR CHILD SAFETY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE SYNOD WEBSITE LATER THIS WEEK!
THE CONGREGATIONS WE ARE A PART OF ARE CALLED TO BE PLACES OF HOPE AND HEALING FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. +++ SAFETY POLICIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND VULNERABLE ADULTS CAN OFFER LEADERS IMPORTANT GUIDELINES THAT HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELLBEING OF EACH PERSON.
BUT WERE A CHURCH AREN T WE ALREADY A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE?
Child abuse cases involved more than 7.5 million children 18% of those children are physically abused STATISTICS More than 65,000 of those children are sexually abused 90% of those victims know their abuser
NO CHILD SAFETY POLICIES AND BACKGROUND CHECKS CAN HELP TO CHANGE SOME OF THESE STATISTICS BACKGROUND CHECK IS 100% FAIL-SAFE BUT THE PROCESS WILL HELP KEEP VULNERABLE YOUTH SAFE.
BACKGROUND CHECKS WILL SEARCH FOR : SEXUAL ASSAULT PUBLIC INDECENCY FELONY ASSAULT DRUG POSSESSION PROBATION DUI SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY
7 BEST PRACTICES FOR KEEPING KIDS SAFE!
1. EDUCATE YOURSELF The three top insurance companies for congregations get an average of 3-7 claims per week Put a face on the statistics how would we respond to hear a story of abuse toward one of our own children, grandchildren, etc.?
Rule of 3 At least two, unrelated adults with youth at any time Meet in a public space for any conversation with a minor or vulnerable adult Set boundaries in social media, 1-1 texting, etc. (Copy parents in on each text or email) Make transparency a 100% rule; you never miss you make sure to be transparent ALL the time 2. ESTABLISH AND COMMUNICATE TRANSPARENCY
Just mentioning to applicants and volunteers that background checks are a requirement, you may have unknowingly protected someone from harm. 3. RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK ON EVERYONE WHO WILL WORK WITH YOUTH Not all background checks are created equal National County Multi-County
Even as adults, we can be fooled by those we think we know well. If a youth reaches out to you.. Listen & Stay Calm Encourage the child to tell you what happened Take action Write down the account ASAP. Share with parents or guardians & the proper authorities only 4. LISTEN & BELIEVE
5. PROTECT THE CHILDREN, YOURSELF, YOUR CONGREGATION AND YOUR CHURCH LEADERS Be vigilant If you see something, say something keep one another accountable when it comes to protocol/policy. Remember protecting children and tattling are not the same thing!
One and Done? More than just clergy or rostered leaders need to be screen and checked. Repeat the process every 2-3 years. 6. SCREEN, TRAIN & REPEAT! What does Church Mutual say? What does the synod lawyer say? Screen, Train, REPEAT!
Record the details of the training content, as well as all participants who attended. 7. KEEP RECORDS Keep ALL background checks on file, in a locked cabinet
Try to get a child safety policy in place by September 2020. GOALS Pick 2 of these 7 practices that you aren t already doing and get rolling with those as well!
Are adult leaders mandatory reporters in your region? You can run background check for people age 16 and older (in most counties) Are there medical concerns that could also make it unsafe for an adult to be alone with children/youth (ex. Seizures, etc.)? NOTES
Wisconsin Stats (2016) 50-75 known cases of trafficking in Madison per year Milwaukee: more than 100 per year All children are vulnerable Children with a history of abuse or trauma, foster children/runaways, and LGBTQ youth are at heightened risk
Every county in Wisconsin has trafficking activity Average age of trafficked youth is 13 Up to 80% becomes victims online Major hubs in Madison & Milwaukee, but Wisconsin becomes a coridoor between major trafficking spots in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Iowa/Michigan
LOPPW Website Stop Human Trafficking Poster Cherish All Children PPT Prayers 2016 Study on Human Trafficking Great discussion questions for young people What to watch for/how to keep safe
Safe Gatherings +Background Checks Congregation U + Training in various areas Synod Website +Sample child safety policies, and other helpful websites RESOURCES
Synod Website http://nwswi.org/congregations/ safe-church-policies RESOURCES Safety & Boundary Policies for Ministry : Youth Worker s Network Northwest Synod of WI Available in May!
