- OR-ID Conference Requirements
- Safe Sanctuary Abuse Prevention Policy for Conference and District Events
- Local Church Policy Template and Forms
- Definitions used in Safe Sanctuaries Template
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Screening Procedures: Background Checks and Voluntary Disclosure
- Guidelines for Guests - Multi-lingual
- Training Resources
- Teaching about Abuse (age appropriate curriculum)
- Worship Resources
Safe Sanctuary Abuse Prevention Policy for Conference and District Events
The document, "Safe Sanctuaries Abuse Prevention Policy for Conference and District Events", explains the abuse prevention policy for all events sponsored by Annual Conference or one of its four Districts.
Persons or Ministry Teams responsible for Conference/District events involving children, youth or vulnerable adults must become familiar with this policy and implement it for the event. It is important that recruited leadership for Conference/District events are oriented to the policy and understand the required procedures.
The following is an introduction to this document. The entire Abuse Prevention Policy can be downloaded here and can also be found in the Conference Journal: Conference Events Policy
SAFE SANCTUARIES ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY
For Conference & District Events
of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church
INTRODUCTION
Our hope and belief today is that the church is a place where all people will find the unconditional love
and care they so desperately need to grow and thrive. But, we know that abuse occurs in churches, large
and small, urban and rural. It is a problem, which cuts across all economic, cultural, and racial lines.
In April 1996, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at
reducing the risk of abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in the church. It was renewed by
the 2004 General Conference (Resolution 65, “Reducing the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Churches,
pg. 201, 2004 Book of Resolutions). As Christians we must take our responsibilities to our children,
youth, and vulnerable adults very seriously. While we may not be able to completely prevent abuse in
every situation, it is possible for us to greatly reduce the risk by following a policy of prevention. We
are responsible to create an environment of safe sanctuary for children, youth and vulnerable adults, and
those who work with them. Thus we establish this Abuse Prevention Policy to demonstrate our absolute
and unwavering commitment to the safety of all our children, youth, and vulnerable adults.
PURPOSE
It is the purpose of this policy to 1) protect from abuse the children, youth, and vulnerable adults
that participate in church activities, and 2) protect our staff, both paid and volunteer, from unfounded
and/or malicious allegations of abuse through a comprehensive plan that includes: screening, training,
supervision, reporting procedures, and a response plan.
SCOPE
This policy shall be applicable to all Conference and District activities or events involving children,
youth, and vulnerable adults within ministry settings of the Oregon-Idaho Annual Conference.The Annual Conference has established safe sanctuary policies for Annual Conference and District events.
The entire Abuse Prevention Policy can be downloaded here and can also be found in the Conference Journal: Conference Events Policy