ST. MARY’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, HARLEM

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Purpose:

God embraces children with love, placing their nurture and care in our hands. We believe that children should be safe from all forms of abuse and neglect. We, the Church, will be advocates for children and establish clearly defined safeguards, policies and procedures for their protection. To further our goal of being a safe and welcoming community for children, St. Mary’s has established a policy to reduce the risk of child abuse, including sexual abuse or misconduct.

Definition:

A “child” or “children” means anyone under the age of 18 years.

Child sexual abuse or misconduct includes touching or non-touching interaction between a child and another child, or between a child and an adult for the purpose of sexual stimulation. This behavior is always considered forced when the interaction involves a child and an adult whether or not the child has consented.

Standards of Conduct:

 Paid and volunteer adults and youth helpers shall not touch, interact with, or otherwise communicate with children in any way that is intended to be sexually stimulating. Common expressions of affection (hugs), affirmation (pats on the back), support (prayers), or physical caretaking (changing diapers, toileting, etc.) are appropriate in this community of caring Christians. Care must be taken that expressions of affection and affirmation should not be excessive or imposed upon a child. As a community, we affirm children’s right to resist unwanted contact.

 All leaders shall model respectful behavior toward people of all races, genders, sexual orientations, economic conditions, abilities and religions.

 Volunteer and paid staff are not to give gifts to children (including but not limited to candy, money, food) without the prior knowledge and approval of the parent(s)/guardians and/or responsible clergy.

 For all activities on or off church premises, adults working with children should ideally work in pairs or with a youth helper (a teenager in high school who assists with younger children). Visual access to classrooms (door with window or open door) is provided at all times; and parents/guardians and staff may visit at any time unannounced. If a one-on-one meeting is appropriate, for example in the case of youth confirmation sponsors, adults will notify another adult where he or she will be, and it should be conducted in an environment that is public and/or visible to other adults. There will be no secret organizations.

 Children and youth involved in a church-sponsored activity should be transported in groups rather than alone. Single adults should not drive a single child without the permission of the child’s parent or guardian and the church staff member responsible for the program. Copies of drivers’ licenses and proof of insurance are required for anyone involved in transporting children or youth, to be given to the Rector before such transport. At no time will one adult take children or youth on an overnight outing by him or herself. All church related overnight events for young people and accompanying adults must be approved by clergy.

 Discipline entails first reprimands, possible quiet time and always notification of parents/guardians. Children will not be spanked ever, nor disciplined in any way that deprives them of their basic rights to be safe and comfortable. Children and youth should never be coerced or shamed into any activity.

 Children will not be left alone on church property. Teachers or other volunteers will wait with the child or youth in a public place until their responsible adult arrives. Parents/guardians should pick up their children promptly. Leaders of older teens who walk or take public transportation should always note the time when a young person leaves; teens who leave alone must have their parent’s authorization to do so (obtained at the time of registration).

Supervision and Accountability:

 Education, friendship and worship programs for children and youth are under the supervision of the Vestry and the Rector, who shall have responsibility for implementing this policy. Members of the Vestry and related staff will seek sufficient numbers of paid and/or volunteer leaders to allow staffing of the programs as stated above.

 Education and programming for children and youth will regularly include an affirmation of their rights to resist unwanted contact and the people to whom they can report any threat to their physical and emotional safety.

 Communication and explanation of this policy will be included annually in all training and orientation programs for volunteers working with children. All volunteers and paid staff working with children will sign an acknowledgement that they have read and understood the policy prior to beginning their work.

 As a condition of employment, and prior to any offer of employment, any staff member called and employed by St. Mary’s will be required to state whether she or he has ever been convicted of a crime involving child abuse or misconduct, and undergo a search of the Child Abuse Registry in Albany, NY. Background checks will be performed on all staff prior to hire. All staff must sign a statement acknowledging that they have reviewed and understand the policy; and all staff must complete the Diocesan Training for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse.1

 Parents and guardians are encouraged to make themselves aware of and familiar with persons with whom their child is in contact. Employment or volunteer leadership in the church is not a guarantee for a “safe” leader.

Reporting:

 Any child or adult who has a question or concern about the behavior of adult or youth leaders may make an inquiry or complaint to the Rector. All complaints will be investigated and conclusions, including whether or not action was taken, will be reported to the complainant. A written record will be kept of all complaints and any resulting actions.

 A person who has reason to believe that abuse or misconduct covered by this policy has occurred shall immediately report such information to the Rector. It is St. Mary’s policy to report all allegations of child abuse, including sexual abuse and misconduct, to the appropriate government authority as required by law (including a written report within 36 hours). St. Mary’s will cooperate fully with government authorities in the investigation of any allegations of child abuse.

              NEW YORK STATE CHILD ABUSE REPORTING HOTLINE:  1-800-342-3720

 The Rector will inform the Vestry that an allegation has been made and reported. Those persons involved in the investigation should hold relevant information in strict confidence, subject to such disclosures as are required by church procedures or required by law. As appropriate, the Rector also will inform the Bishop.

CHILD PROTECTION EMERGENCY PLANS              

St. Mary’s has taken steps to inform and train all persons who work with children and young people for the event of an emergency. If such an emergency were to occur during Sunday School, most likely parents or guardians would be close enough to take responsibility for their children immediately. However, to be prepared, we have developed the following procedures and safeguards:

Fire Drills

Children’s programs will hold at least one fire drill during the year. Leaders and children will meet in front of the church on the 126th Street sidewalk. The Fire Drill procedure will be used for any emergency that requires evacuating the buildings. Leaders will take attendance at the assembly point. As parents/caregivers pick-up children, please remember to sign them out.

Shelter in Place

If for some reason we are required to stay inside for any length of time (most often as a result of police activity or weather emergency), the group will gather in the Rectory (101 & 102). Small supplies of provisions (water & snacks) will be available. Leaders will take attendance at the assembly point. As parents/caregivers pick-up or join children, please remember to sign them out.

First Aid/Medication              

First Aid kits will be available in each building; CPR and basic first aid training will be offered to adults who work with children. First Aid kits do not include medication and leaders will not administer medication to children. If a child requires medication during a program, a parent/guardian must return to administer it.

1  Violation of this policy by any paid staff shall be ground for immediate disciplinary action, including among other actions termination of employment. Violation of this policy by a volunteer (adult or youth) working with children shall be ground form immediate disciplinary action, which may include among other actions termination of the volunteer’s involvement in the program.