First Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church of AllentownChurch of Allentown

Safe SanctuariesSafe Sanctuaries

IntroductionIntroduction

• Safe SanctuariesSafe Sanctuaries ProgramProgram is an effort is an effort by FPC to reaffirm its by FPC to reaffirm its commitment to commitment to safeguard the well-safeguard the well-being of all its being of all its members, particularly members, particularly the most vulnerable: the most vulnerable: children and youthchildren and youth

HistoryHistoryTask force createdTask force created in 2001 by Session, through a in 2001 by Session, through a

proposal from Christian Education Committee to proposal from Christian Education Committee to study this issue and make recommendationsstudy this issue and make recommendations

End resultEnd result – Safe Sanctuaries Policy endorsed by – Safe Sanctuaries Policy endorsed by Session in September 2003Session in September 2003

Task force became a Task force became a standing committeestanding committee of of Christian Education CommitteeChristian Education Committee

The missionThe mission of the Safe Sanctuaries Committee is to of the Safe Sanctuaries Committee is to implement policy proceduresimplement policy procedures

Why are you here?Why are you here?

To develop an To develop an understandingunderstanding of what constitutes of what constitutes child abusechild abuse

To learn how to To learn how to recognizerecognize child abuse child abuse

To understand appropriate To understand appropriate reportingreporting procedures procedures

Policy provisions require a prospective volunteer to Policy provisions require a prospective volunteer to attend a attend a training sessiontraining session..

Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Abuse Knowledge InventoryKnowledge Inventory

1. Child sexual abuse always 1. Child sexual abuse always involves physical contact with involves physical contact with children.children.

FALSE

Can include non touch:

pornography

internet usage

photography

verbal

exposure

voyeurism

2. Most child molesters are male.2. Most child molesters are male.

TRUETRUE

According to the US Department of Justice According to the US Department of Justice 96%96% of reported of reported sexual assaults involving children included male sexual assaults involving children included male offenders.offenders.

3. Child molesters are usually 3. Child molesters are usually strangers.strangers.

FALSE

• In 90% of situations of child sexual abuse, the perpetrator is known and trusted by the child

4. Victims of sexual abuse suffer 4. Victims of sexual abuse suffer no long-term effects.no long-term effects.

• Children who have been abused:

- experience more physical health problems

- have more behavioral problems

- report more substance abuse problems

(70 – 80% report excessive drug and alcohol use)

- are more likely to be sexually promiscuous

FALSE

5. One out of five molesters begin 5. One out of five molesters begin their activity before age 18.their activity before age 18.

TRUETRUE

23% of sexual assault offenders are under the age of 18. The typical offender is male, begins molesting by age 15, engages in a variety of deviant behavior, and molests an average of 117 youngsters, most of whom do not report the offense.

6. Only a small percentage of 6. Only a small percentage of victims are male.victims are male.

7. Most churches screen workers 7. Most churches screen workers and volunteers for potential and volunteers for potential molesters.molesters.

FALSE

The church is a place where the congregation wants to

trust and feel safe.

8. Church leaders, workers, and/or 8. Church leaders, workers, and/or volunteers cannot be held liable volunteers cannot be held liable for child sexual abuse.for child sexual abuse.

FALSEFALSE – Child abuse judgment awards can exceed the amount of insurance.

9. Some child sexual abuse cases 9. Some child sexual abuse cases have resulted in judgments over have resulted in judgments over $75,000,000.$75,000,000.

TRUE FALSETRUE FALSE

• People are not reluctant to sue.

• It takes years to build a church’s reputation, and only one allegation to tear it down.

10. A child molester who has 10. A child molester who has experienced a religious experienced a religious conversion no longer presents a conversion no longer presents a threat to children.threat to children.

11. Child sexual abuse is a 11. Child sexual abuse is a criminal offense in all 50 states. criminal offense in all 50 states.

12. A preferential child molester 12. A preferential child molester may have over 400 victims in a may have over 400 victims in a lifetime.lifetime.

TRUETRUE

13. Churches have in the past 13. Churches have in the past been supportive of victims of child been supportive of victims of child sexual abuse.sexual abuse.

FALSEFALSE

14. Child molesters are seldom 14. Child molesters are seldom known by the victim.known by the victim.

FALSE

•Build trust with children and adults in order to seduce

•Not lurking in dark hallways with trench coats

•They are good at not being noticed and fading into the woodwork

•Have good rapport with children

•29% of child sexual abuse offenders are relatives

•60% are acquaintances

““Reducing The Risk”Reducing The Risk”

• Perpetrator befriends troubled or needy children and will Perpetrator befriends troubled or needy children and will attempt to find activities which attempt to find activities which isolateisolate the child the child

• Once abuse begins it can go on for long periods of time Once abuse begins it can go on for long periods of time without being noticedwithout being noticed

• Know characteristics of abuser and victimKnow characteristics of abuser and victim

(see behavioral indicators of child sexual abuse handout)(see behavioral indicators of child sexual abuse handout)

• Victims have difficulty giving life totally to GodVictims have difficulty giving life totally to God

We will leap the hurdles to We will leap the hurdles to achieve a Safe Sanctuary at FPCachieve a Safe Sanctuary at FPC

SCREENINGSUPERVISIONREPORTINGRESPONDING

SCREENINGSCREENING

• APPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEERSAPPLICATION FOR VOLUNTEERS• SIX MONTH RULESIX MONTH RULE

ReferencesReferences ConfidentialityConfidentiality

• BACKGROUND CHECK (50 States) BACKGROUND CHECK (50 States) Criminal historyCriminal history Sex Offender Registry (Megan’s Law)Sex Offender Registry (Megan’s Law)

SUPERVISIONSUPERVISION

AS RISK INCREASES, SUPERVISION SHOULD INCREASE

Risk factorsRisk factors Solutions Solutions isolationisolation physical environment physical environment lack of accountabilitylack of accountability two adult rule at all two adult rule at all timestimes power and controlpower and control

REPORTING PROCEDUREREPORTING PROCEDURE

• Be Be observantobservant

• Be open to what the child has to say – listen without Be open to what the child has to say – listen without judgingjudging

• Do not try to question or investigateDo not try to question or investigate

RESPONSE TO AN INCIDENTRESPONSE TO AN INCIDENT

• Staff personStaff person will assist reporter in determining will assist reporter in determining proper response based on the Safe Sanctuaries proper response based on the Safe Sanctuaries policypolicy

• Reports are Reports are anonymousanonymous

Thank you for volunteering!Thank you for volunteering!