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Child Sexual Abuse Prevention
Guidelines
A Note
from the Deacons
We care deeply about our children and
youth at The Lighthouse Church. We also care about those who minister to the
young. Our prayer and desire is for TLHC to be a safe place for all of
them.
Unfortunately, immorality in
the world does not stop at the church entrance doors.
For many years we have had guidelines for sexual abuse prevention, but we as
deacons have felt that there is a need for a more comprehensive system that
can be clearly communicated to the whole congregation and to visitors.
We also believe it to be in the best interest of the
Church to take a proactive stance, reducing the likelihood that this would
happen at The Lighthouse, and hopefully increasing the comfort of the
parents and safety of the children who attend TLHC. We also want to provide
protections for our teachers and youth workers.
We acknowledge that no guidelines can
completely eliminate this risk. Ultimately, our protection comes from the
Lord and we ask that you join us in prayer and action for the safeguarding
of our children.
Overview of General Guidelines
The Lighthouse Church (TLHC) is serious
about making child and youth safety a top priority. To that end, child &
youth workers will:
Prerequisites
·
Attend TLHC for
at least 6 months.
·
Be a member in
good standing at TLHC (to be an ongoing child or youth worker).
Screening
·
Sign a release
for criminal and abuse background checks.
·
Submit
references from past churches (if applicable).
·
Participate in
an interview process.
Worker Training
- Attend a Child Sexual
Abuse Prevention Awareness training (mandatory for Ongoing Workers).
- Agree to adhere to the
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Guidelines whenever possible.
Supervision
·
At least
two approved child or youth workers will be supervising each other and the
children.
·
All rooms in
which children will be supervised will have windows in the doors, allowing
for supervision by church staff and parents.
What Should I do as a
Parent?
You as a parent or guardian will be a great help to this
process by following these parent guidelines:
·
Fill out
a Parental Consent and Release Form the first day your child attends a class
event.
·
Tell the
children’s worker who, if anyone other than yourself, is approved (or not
approved) to pick up your child at the end of Sunday school or youth event.
This includes siblings, other relatives, and friends all over the age of 18
·
Take your young children to the bathroom and
encouraging the older ones to go before they enter the Children’s Ministry
event.
·
Tell the
children’s worker any reasons your child might need to leave the room
(discipline problems, physical problems) and any special instructions for
bathroom procedures. Tell the child or youth worker under what
circumstances you would like to be alerted to come and get your child.
·
Please
pick up your child promptly after the service.
General Guidelines for Working with Teenagers
Those working with teenagers at The
Lighthouse will also undergo the same screening and training process as the
workers with younger children. Special guidelines for workers with
this age group are:
·
Youth workers should
avoid one-on-one meetings with youth in private places.
·
Youth leaders should not
leave students alone at church waiting for transportation.
·
A youth leader must not
interact with a student in any sexual manner, and must not engage in any
type of romantic relationship.
Response Procedures
Volunteers
and staff are to immediately report any behavior that seems abusive or
inappropriate, or any incident reported by a child or adolescent. Please
see the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Guidelines packet for detailed
response and reporting procedures.
To view the entire Child
Protection policy,
click here.
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