This presentation is intended for informational purposes only. For copyright reasons we are unable to make the whole course available via the website. Please contact your Mission Center for the Core Training Pack, which contains a disc of the Child Protection Coordinator teaching this course, a downloadable PowerPoint presentation, script and additional materials with permissions.
3. Goals
•To re-affirm that the process is there to protect
the youth worker, the church but primarily the
child or young person
•To increase awareness of the symptoms and
consequences of Child Abuse
•To explore the ways in which abuse may occur
and be prevented.
•To consider the foundation principles that
underpin the church’s rational for Children and
Youth Worker Registration
•To explain the screening and reporting
processes
4. Context
Allegations of abuse are becoming more prevalent
Statistically abuse is a reality that occurs even within
our faith movement.
Standards must be in place
Protecting our children and youth is not optional
The Community of Christ shares its Enduring Principles
through all aspects of life. The Worth of all Persons,
Blessings of Community, Pursuit of Peace and
Responsible Choices are all components especially
pertinent to this life experience.
5. Those most vulnerable in our society should
have the right to fulfill their potential
Everyone has a responsibility to support the
care and protection of children
We can promote social justice by living out the
principles in our Child Protection Policies
The Child comes 1st
6. But, the procedures are also
there to protect you and so
must be taken seriously and
adhered to in a robust
manner.
8. A word about ….yourself
•This knowledge can affect your life
and have a personal effect
•The information can be upsetting
•You will meet survivors- in this group
•This information confronts our own
parenting and our experience of
parenting
9. 4 Categories of Abuse
1.Neglect
The responsible adult fails to provide adequately
for various needs. Physical, emotional, educational,
medical
2.Emotional/ Psychological
Includes name calling, ,ridicule, degradation,
destruction of belongings, torture of pet, excessive
demands or critism, routine humiliation, withholding
communication
10. 3.Physical
Physical aggression directed towards a child by
an adult with intent to cause injury.
4.Sexual Abuse
Abuse of a child by an adolescent or adult for
sexual stimulation. Could be pressuring child to
engage in sexual activity, exposure, actual
physical contact, displaying or using a child in
pornography.
11. What is abuse?
Inflicting harm, or failing to act to prevent harm to
a young person. It may occur immediately or
through accumulated affects over a period of time
Children may be abused in a family, or in an
institution or community setting, by those who
know them or more rarely by strangers
13. How do we safeguard
our children?
Anyone working with children or young people
in any of the church’s programs (youth leader,
Sunday school teacher, camp counselor etc)
MUST be a registered Youth Worker.
All priesthood must be registered Youth
Workers
Registered Youth Worker Assistants (15-21yrs)
will only be used under the supervision of a
registered youth worker
Promoting the Enduring principles will help to
create environments conducive to loving
relationships
14. Fundamental principles:
1. Selection and screening
2. Education
3. Minimizing opportunity for harm
4. Respect for the Child
15. 1.Selection and screening
Youth worker application form
•Signatures ( applicants, parent if under 18yrs,
interviewer, Mission centre president/F.O)
•Interview
•References
•6 month affiliation rule
Registration is initiated at Congregational level onto
mission centre then to legal services at IHQ. To finalize
registration your registration is entered onto church’s data
base and the Mission centre president is notified of
registration
16. Richard Hammer’s 5 step plan
• Written application
• Personal interview
• Institutional References
• 6 month affiliation rule
• 2by2 adults
17. 2.Education
RYW must learn the facts and
understand them:-
• Why registrations are in place
• Different types of abuse
• Ways to protect children from potential
abusers
• How to respond to reports of past or
current abuse
IE this course!
18. Education also provides protection
for our youth leaders.
• Gives them permission to act
appropriately
• Gives permission to ask for
support/another person
• Protects them from potential
allegations
19. A word about the
children…..
It is not our responsibility to educate children about
Child Abuse, it is our responsibility to help children
understand God’s love for them as individuals, for them
to know they are an important part of our community
and that the church is a safe place.
Think about how you can do this practically in your
camp/vacation school/activity day etc.
20. 3. Minimizing the
opportunity for harm
•Adhere to the 2 by 2 rule
•Visual 1:1
•Prepare and plan
21. 4. Respect the Child
•Respect the child’s privacy
•Dress appropriately
•Constructive Discipline
•Appropriate touching
22. NO CHILD SHOULD
EVER BE ALONE WITH
AN ADULT BEHIND
CLOSED DOORS
24. Reporting
If a child or young person discloses
to you or if you witness abuse
You are a mandatory reporter:
•You should report simultaneously to the activity director
and the authorities.
•You should then ensure that the information is shared
with the Pastor, MCP and Legal Services.
•This process should follow a matter of minutes
•Legal services 24hr cell number is :- 816 509 2946 or the
office 816 833 1000 Ext. 2220 or 816 377 0417
If you are not confident in reporting to the authorities
then anyone in that line, including Legal Services will
help you.
25. During the disclosure:-
• Do not offer confidentiality
• Stay calm, but try to get some basic information-particularly
who and where the abuse occurred.
• Use the registration form for the child’s details.
• Disclosures may come from the activity or from
home
• If the abuse occurred at an activity directors
should separate the accused abuser from the
activity- not in 1:1 environment (may need to go
home) and provide the abused with comfort to
the level they require
• You can remain anonymous in this process, but it
would be unwise if the case goes to court.
26. The privilege of being a Youth
worker brings with it
responsibilities……..
but those responsibilities can be an
expression of the Peace and Justice
principles that we try to live by.
Live out our mission!!
Hinweis der Redaktion
Before you start be sure you have tried the Reducing the Risk DVD. Welcome to the Child Protection Core Training
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Introduce yourself, your position and why you are meeting to take the training. Share any housekeeping arrangements. Open with a prayer.
If possible share person testimony (change names) of children who you know of who have needed ‘protecting’ Particularly try to share about children the fellowship of the church may have helped. Share only the first part of their story, the outcome will be shared at the end of the workshop.
Remember the emphasis of this course is that Child Protection (CP) is a ministry of the church.
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Talk through the goals for the training
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Since 1980’s ‘the church’ in broadest sense has struggled to come to terms with more allegation of abuse. Outside of the church too, there has been publicity and media coverage of abuse scandals. EG Penn State, Boy Scouts. Within the Christian faith the catholic church has suffered from accusations of abuse by clergy.
Within ur own denomination we have 100’s of incident files from over the past 15 years that reflect accusations of abuse. Indeed we have suffered law suits because of it. We are not exempt.
All those working with children and youth must be registered as CYW/CYW assistants.
Alongside the practical systems we have put in place we are blessed with a theology that upholds children and their place in society. From the example of Christ we can reflect on our Enduring principles to draw parallels in this ministry with our children and young people. We will consider these further as we go through the training
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Link straight into the next slide
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Show scene 1 from Reducing the Risk. Be sure to point out that although this is about sexual abuse we would like you to consider all it says in terms of abuse generally. Discuss (in prs or as whole group depending on nos.) whether members of the group heard these views, What is there own understanding of the word ‘abuse’, do they ever think about /discuss it? What life events / media coverage have influenced how they think about abuse. Also talk about whether they feel the congregation/MC /WC have a view on this and what influences do those bodies come under?
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The ‘uncomfortable’ nature of this topic can sometimes cause distress. Church leaders’ who’s ministry is focused on the gospel may find this a difficult addition to their work. Filling in the paperwork exposes us to the thought of abuse, dealing with incidents brings home that reality. Issues include :- pastoral ministry to abused, family and friends
negotiating the legal pathways
confidentiality and being judgemental
nurturing the congregation through the experience
keeping yourself safe and complying with self-care principles.
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Neglect:
Have the group suggest some situations for each of the needs that might be considered abusive.
Remember: neglect is the persistent failure to meet child’s basic needs.
Physical Neglect (not physical abuse): signs are inadequate food, inappropriate clothing , poor hygiene. :
Emotional neglect: lack of nurturing or affection.
Educational neglect: no school, usually picked up by teachers
Medical Neglect: failure to attend appointments.
Over Oct 05-06 in the US researchers found over 91,000 cases of neglect. UNICEF claims that along with the UK the US ranks among the lowest of industrialized countries to respect the well-being of the child!
Children whose parents have mental health difficulties are vulnerable
Emotional Abuse is often the most difficult to define; results in detachment disorders, self-blame, learned helplessness, poor self –esteem. Some level of emotional abuse seen in all ill treatments of children but it may also occur alone. Can occur through ignorance, poverty, can result in failure to thrive. High correlation with domestic violence.
Discussion point:- This is a less clear/obvious eg of abuse, more subtle, how do members of the group feel this is confronted, (ministry offered) in church settings?
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Physical Abuse:
Striking, bruising, choking, scalding, burning, poisoning, Shaken baby Syndrome, transmission of drugs and alcohol by mother into baby during pregnancy? Munchausen.
Discussion on child discipline:- (this is a sharing of views, its purpose is to open people’s minds to the question of discipline/punishment and if that can border on abuse- when and where that may happen)
Is there a difference between discipline and punishment?
How do you define Corporal Punishment? Discussion- how were you punished? Is a hand an implement? Is there another way?
Now illegal in 24 countries to use force as disciplinary measure
Now illegal in 24 countries to use force as disciplinary measure
In 25 states in US still allowed to use physical discipline, in all 50 states in the home.
How far do you believe this is a double standard?- agreeing it is appropriate within the church to not allow corporal punishment but saying its OK at home or at school?
Discuss physical abuse markers and pick out ‘soft areas’ ie where accidental bruising in unlikely, where abuse shows bruising. Tops of arms, neck
Sexual Abuse:
Read through slide.
Effects are depression, post traumatic stress syn. Few specific signs-venereal disease, inappropriate knowledge, changes in behavior, anxiety. Other mental health issues are connected.
70-80% survivors report excessive drug, alcohol use. (Wikipedia)
More than 20 % attempt suicide. (darkness2light.org)
15-25% of woman and 5-15% of men were s. abused when they were children (Wikipedia)
Most abusers acquainted with vitims-30% relatives, 60% acquaintances,10% strangers.
Median age for reporting is 9yrs old.
Most victims never report abuse. That is not only are there abusers in our community but also victims.
To be clear, thee spectrum of abuse we suffer within our community:-
Those who abuse impulsively, on the spur odf the moment when the occasion revelas itself to them
Pedophiles who purposely seek out a community where there are children and young people
‘Unchurched children’ who share in our fellowship but go home to abuse relatives
Families, members, priesthood in the church who are abusing their children or others children
We also get reports of abusers who may not abuse in the church environment but who are accused of crimes in their workplace.
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Highlight the fact that wives/mothers are now being prosecuted because they have failed to report abuse in the home which they were aware of.
Refer to United Nations Convention of Rights of the child. i.e. basic human needs, security, food, love etc
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A4 worksheet with sentences and blanks for group to fill in-individually or prs if more comfortable. Read out answers. Note: for some answers there may be several correct answers. You may not have covered all the answers (reporting) but encourage people to have a go
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Protection of the children in our care is paramount, we need to put in safeguards that protect.
Currently registered CYW assist. Are aged 15-21 yrs. Refer to outline of responsibilities on the website.
Refer to Priesthood faithfulness guidelines
Again emphaise the blessing we have in our faith community by upholding our theology and pratical principles
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Children and Youth worker Application form.
Refer to guidelines document on the website. This will explain line by line the expectations for completing the form Spend time going through 2 first pages of the form- try not to become consumed by questions that are not relevant to the average CYW the form. Be clear about the importance of these being done accurately. Encourage you to keep track of your form. Don’t be afraid of ringing/following up at every stage.
This process is established not just in C of C but throughout other faith groups, employment, social care, education etc American camping Association upholds these principles of screening.
Unfortunately IHQ cannot send you direct confirm but seek it out from your mission center. Every application received by Legal services gets a response to the MCP. Either please give us additional information or the applicant is registered.
If you tick either of the boxes on the front page as ‘yes’ then LS will request additional information. Please attach a paragraph about the situation, when it occurred what happened and what the outcome was. Or talk to your pastor or contact K Waring directly: kwaring@cofchrist.org 816 833 1000 Et 2220
You are not a RCYW unless you have that designation next to your name on the church’s data base- Shelby
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Describe Richard Hammer as a national expert in Child Protection. He is an attorney and a Christian attending church. Richard Hammer frequently writes articles challenging our practice in Child Protection and during his extensive experience has given valuable advice and guidance .This slide puts our procedures into a national context and authenticates our practices. This is a brief introduction to the idea of national practice which will be expanded by the video clip in the administrators training. The trainer may wish to point out that currently we do not demand institutional references but this is one reason the ‘title’ section must be included on the application form and that we demand more than for those who have not been known to the church for 6 months.
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Read slide
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Its not our responsibility to educate the children in Child Abuse but there are certain curriculums available that support children’s self esteem and confidence. It may be that the attendees decide to run classes based on these curriculums. Refer to the UN Child’s Bill of Rights (more details in administrators training. Perhaps provide a handout. But keep it brief and as example of principles we should uphold.
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2 by 2 rule. Always ensure that there are 2 Registered Children and Youth Workers with the group, or if that is not possible that groups are clearly visible to one another.
Visual 1:1 Never agree to go into an isolated place with a child/youth. At camp be sure you can see someone-then they can see you. Tell someone what you are doing.
If a camper comes to ask you ’ Can we go and talk please, I have something I want to discuss with you’
Do not!:-
Go for a quiet walk around the premises, or over the hill
Go to the campers bedroom to talk
Go to the campfire site while no one’s there
Do:- find a bench in a quiet place that can still be seen by someone sitting away off. Ask that person tosaty there while you talk.
Remember if you can see someone they can see you!
Refer to scenarios we will do at end of course.
Co-ed activities strongly advise co-ed leadership. Refer to Privacy Code of Conduct on Web site.
Prepare and plan. Briefly describe the concept of risk management, be sure to work out group activities so that they are appropriately staffed. There may be specific high risk activities that you will need to get’ Risk managements (IHQ) opinions on. Again refer to scenarios at end of course.
Prepare and plan to avoid such situations. Be sure to have safe arrival and dismissal arrangements
.
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Privacy; Privacy Code of Conduct on website.
Dress; model appropriate dress and behavior. Discuss what may be considered inappropriate at camps (skimpy bikinis, low rise jeans, logos, tattoos??)
Constructive discipline; no corporal punishment at any Community of Christ. Discipline should be kept constructive, reflect the values of Christianity.
Appropriate touching:
Do not initiate touching.
Touch only in public
Try to have side by side touching. Do not place a child on your private parts, have them sit at the side of you with your arm around
Touch parts of body such as back, shoulders, arms
Do not prolong touch
Have some discussion about touching. For some Christians this is a difficult one, as touching is so often seen as display of love for one another. Continue to express joy and pleasure with child, be affirming, provide comfort and protection when necessary. More in Boundaries training
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Just in case
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Show #8 video clip from Reducing the risk Scenarios. Allow 10 mins for this. Depending on size of group work altogether or divide into smaller groups for discussion and then feedback. Keep the pace up! Try to help them think out of box.
Misbehavior
Text for parents
Buzzer !
Take ticket!
Move child to side of room and distract
Bathroom trip
Text parent
All go
Probably most difficult of situations. Supervision and protection versus allowing child independence and privacy.
Dark Room
Another adult to sit in
Alter layout of room
Don’t forget: you can always ask another adult to sit in- it doesn’t matter that they do not fully engage in the activity,
Driving home
Have parent come to pick up penultimate child.
Call the parent and tell them you are 4 mins away
Call the parent or a friend/ pastor and tell them you in the car, talk to them for the journey, or even better have the child talk to them for the journey
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Talk the Children and youth workers through these points:
All C of C priesthood and staff at activities (including volunteers) are mandatory reporters-describe what this means, however as a staff member once they report the disclosure their participation in official reporting is now minimal and generally only to be consulted about the disclosure. Events should move very quickly. It is not every state’s practice to respond to the disclosure. Our role is often pastoral
Future events will depend on state laws, however the accused should always be removed from the activity and external agencies will be contacted. This is done on the advice of IHQ legal counsel. Should you be directing an activity you should contact legal for advice on how to proceed. Then ‘hotline’ or legal may do it.
Spend a little time discussing what an open ended question is, how the adult should not lead the child into inappropriate information. NB Although you can remain anonymous throughout this process the act of reporting and any subsequent court hearing may be compromised by having to go through a 3rd Party (legal services). Also there is no guarentee that another party may name you as part of their defense.
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Re-iterate we are not delaying or trying to keep abuse ‘in house’
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Don’t forget to share the conclusions to the stroies you told at the start of the training. Try to identify the particular Enduring principle at work in that example.
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