Ministries Across Generations

Safety 101

YOUR CHURCH IS NOT SAFE!

This is most important and difficult message for congregations to grasp. We must begin making the church a safer and more sacred place for children, and the adults, to encounter and learn about their faith. We must we willing to see safety as an ongoing, ever changing, and crucial conversation.

 

Safety is also multifacted and not straight forward. Churches who are willing to enter into the conversation quickly stop because they get lost in lots directions and feel overwhelmed.

 

WE ARE HERE TO HELP!

 

Safety Facts

If we can help one child not be bullied, one child not be abused, one child get the help they need, one adult not be falsely accused, one person drive safer, one clergy not be harrassed, and one person be able to encounter God in a safe and sacred place, than all of this safety discussion is worth it.

 

Child Abuse Statsitics

Childhelp: 6 Million Children in the US Have Reported Child Abuse

Childhelp: Myths and Facts

FaithTrust Institute, "Learn the Basics"

US Department of Health and Human Services, "Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics"

 

Safety Resources

These resources are in addition or in conjunction with the 10 Safety Basic Areas children and youth.  Some of these resources may be overwhelming at first. They are meant to enhance and continue to assist the work being done by your congregation in the areas of safety. 

 

Safe Santuaries (Books)

"Safe Sanctuaries is an overt expression in making congregations safe places where children, youth and elders may experience the abiding love of God and fellowship within the community of faith."

Spanish Version (Click here)

Safe Santuaries in a Virtual World (Click here)

 

The Insurance Board

The Insurance Board will be used in conjunctionw ith many of the 10 Steps to a Safer Church for Children and Youth. The Insurance Board see their work with the three denominations they serve, including Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ, as a ministry. They have many helpful and free resources.

Policy Template: This is the best resource out there!

 

Praesidium

This is the organization that works with the Insurance Board. It is FREE and has wonderful training tools. "Praesidium was started more than 20 years ago in response to a request from a youth serving organization that was reeling from an incident of child sexual abuse."

 

FaithTrust Institute

"FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence."

 

Religious Institute

"Founded in 2001, the Religious Institute is a multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society."

Spanish Version (Click here)

 

Our Whole Lives

Our Whole Lives helps participants make informed and responsible decisions about their sexual health and behavior.

 

US Department of Health and Human Services

State Child Abuse Reporting Numbers from Child Welfare Information Gateway

 

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Within Youth-serving Organizations: Getting Started on Policies and Procedures

 

Childhelp

"Childhelp® is a leading national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. Childhelp's approach focuses on prevention, intervention and treatment. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD"

 

One With Courage

"National initiative centered around the courage it takes to talk about child sexual abuse and the unique role children’s advocacy centers play in providing comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to child victims of abuse."

 

National Children's Alliance

"National Children's Alliance (NCA) empowers local communities to provide comprehensive, coordinated and compassionate services to victims of child abuse."

 

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

"Today NCMEC is authorized by Congress to perform 22 programs and services to assist law enforcement, families and the professionals who serve them."

 

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. - See more at:

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. - See more at:

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. - See more at:

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. - See more at:

FaithTrust Institute is a national, multifaith, multicultural training and education organization with global reach working to end sexual and domestic violence. - See more at:

This page was last updated by JK 9/26/14