CHURCH BOARD GUIDE TO A CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY


can occur in several ways. For example, if someone with access to the documents improperly communicates confidential information, or the documents are accessible to employees, volunteers, or church members. How can churches reduce the risk of liability based on unauthorized


access to or disclosure of confidential information in an applicant’s screening forms? While churches cannot eliminate this risk, they can take steps to reduce it. Consider the following:


Warning labels The documents should be marked “confidential.” Also, a statement can be attached to them similar to the following:


Warning—confidential information—read carefully! This document contains confidential information that may be reviewed only by the senior pastor, members of the church board, or any person or committee either autho- rized by the church board or having authority to make per- sonnel decisions. No other person is authorized to review this document. Persons who review, duplicate, distribute, or disclose any portion of this document without authoriza- tion may face one or more of the following consequences: (1) Termination of employment, f an employee. (2) Dismissal from any official position within the church, if a volunteer. (3) Possible criminal liability. (4) Possible civil liability.


as it


The purpose of such a warning is not to threaten people as much is to protect


them from unwittingly disclosing confidential information.


What should be done with confidential files? • Lock them. The screening documents should be placed in a locked file. The keys to the file should be in the possession of a person who is authorized to review the documents.


• Notify church staff. Church staff should be warned that unautho- rized access to confidential information, including employment screening documents, will be grounds for possible dismissal.


19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74